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snarrymod (snarrymod) wrote in snarry_games,
@ 2008-05-04 12:00:00

Entry tags:

entry, joanwilder, team dragon

TEAM DRAGON ENTRY: RaeWhit "Down the Rabbit Hole"
Title: Down the Rabbit Hole
Author: joanwilder (RaeWhit)
Team: Dragon
Genres: Postwar, Angst
Prompt: Separation Anxiety
Rating/Warnings/Kinks: NC-17
Word Count: 48,000+
Summary: For Harry and Snape, the war might be over, but the battle isn't.
A/N: Thanks to all of Team Dragon, for the camaraderie and teamwork par excellence. I'm so proud of all of you for pulling together, week after week, so that every one of us could do our best . A special smooch to the snarrymods who continue to make the Games possible, year after year. To jadzialove, my humble and heartfelt appreciation for all your diligence and support; I treasure you as a beta, writer, and friend. Thanks, too, klynie1, for your assistance and support.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his universe belong to J.K. Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury and Raincoast Books, and Warner Brothers, Inc. I make no money from writing fanfiction. It's my own private obsession.

"Down the Rabbit Hole by Raewhit"

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.

Mod note: Due to the length of this story, we will not be posting another until tomorrow morning. Thank you.

Sorry for the delay in posting, our mod account was in 'read-only' mode all morning. Thank you,

squeaky! Cheers!

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(Post a new comment)

	schemingreader 2008-05-04 03:58 pm UTC (link)
	I loved the suspenseful mystery plot! I was dying to know what happened. Excellent tension. I love a good mystery story! I liked the castle magic, too. (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:14 pm UTC

	belleamante 2008-05-04 04:52 pm UTC (link)
	I loved this story the first time I read it, and I loved it even more the second. It's so interesting to go through and find all of the hints leading to the mystery plot. Wonderful, wonderful job, capitan! -Belle (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:17 pm UTC

	YAYYYYYY! Our Capitaine! josan 2008-05-04 05:00 pm UTC (link)
	My neck hurts...went to the gym and did something new with weights...hence...PRINT! Off to read with a hot water bottle on the upper shoulders. Will be back. Promise. (Reply to this) (Thread)

Re: YAYYYYYY! Our Capitaine! -

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:26 pm UTC

Re: YAYYYYYY! Our Capitaine! -

josan, 2008-05-05 08:34 am UTC

Re: YAYYYYYY! Our Capitaine! -

josan, 2008-05-06 07:13 am UTC

Re: YAYYYYYY! Our Capitaine! -

joanwilder, 2008-05-06 02:04 pm UTC

Re: YAYYYYYY! Our Capitaine! -

joanwilder, 2008-05-06 02:02 pm UTC

alliekatgal
2008-05-04 05:20 pm UTC (link)

Oh, I loved this! I love how you wrote it so that it seemed that everyone knew Snape was alive, and that he and Harry were in a relationship. Minerva's response to the request for more Glenlivet, and Ellis' remark about Snape not being in any shape to come back and teach - it all took on a completely different meaning the second time I read it. I love that the castle was a sentient being, but unlike other stories, was fairly dim-witted. And the ending was perfect. Definitely a fav story here. :)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:27 pm UTC

	florida_minxie 2008-05-04 05:34 pm UTC (link)
	Most excellent, my Capitan! How in the hell you made Binns such an interesting character is still beyond me. Truly. This was a long, delicious story that I have in my reread file. GO DRAGONS!! (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:29 pm UTC

klynie1
2008-05-04 05:56 pm UTC (link)

I think I can safely say that the Team Dragon stories that the Snarry Games readers are reading are of such high quality because you never let us get away with anything less. Hail, El Capitan! *hugs*

Of course, we had to live up to your story. I love so many things about it, but the plotline and the psychological progression of the effects of isolation continue to blow me away. I really think that this story will be a classic - I've read it four times now and continue to find details that amaze me. What an incredible piece of work. Thank you!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:31 pm UTC

	carpet_diemon 2008-05-04 06:45 pm UTC (link)
	That was very difficult to read. You made the panic so real...well done. (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:32 pm UTC

ex_nat232
2008-05-04 07:39 pm UTC (link)

I can't even find the right words. It's a lovely story, dear. The way both of them dealt with helplessness speaks tons about the characters. More than any description could do. I love the way you show instead of describe, it's o much easier to get involved with the situation, to feel the way they feel.

Your stories has this thing I'm not sure I could explain... most of fan fiction is only about two or more characters doing what the original author wouldn't make them do. But having a world you cannot talk about, a reason to confine yourself... it's more about life than just a way to get two characters into bed. And I just can't thank you enough for that! :)

(sorry for my english! The spell check says there's no errors in this comment, but sometimes I made up words or grammar...)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:37 pm UTC

	ex_lilyseyes671 2008-05-04 07:39 pm UTC (link)
	A most excellent story from the most excellent of captains - very original and detailed - I loved it! (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:42 pm UTC

ivylady
2008-05-04 08:17 pm UTC (link)

Oh Capitane! My Capitane! A most excellent story. I haven't read anything this fast in my life. I had so many other things that I should have been doing, but I just couldn't tear myself away. I had to read more. I had to know what was going to happen next, and you didn't disappoint.

There's so much I loved about this story that it's hard to summarize, but I'll try. First, let me say that I loved the misdirection. I thought everyone knew that Severus was alive in his rooms and Harry and he were in a relationship. It was quite a shock to realize that they didn't know about him.

Binns was a surprise, and very well done. I like the idea of taking a tertiary character and making them realistic. You've done a fabulous job with him and the castle. I love primal, sentient Hogwarts. It reacts on such an instinctive level that it was interesting.

Harry and Snape were fabulous. For a moment, I thought Harry was going mad and that Snape was a figment of his imagination. He was so intense and focused. Snape was so real, so sad, and so resigned once he knew what was happening. I don't blame him one bit for not going back into that castle. I wouldn't be able to step foot there myself.

Harry pulled it out, and is Snape's champion on a white horse. Bravo, dear Captain! Go Dragons! ROOOOAAAAR!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:45 pm UTC

zephyr_macabee
2008-05-04 09:32 pm UTC (link)

Such a complex story. I desperately needed to pee, but I could not tear myself away until I finished. (TMI, I know)
You are a master of misdirection. Until you told me I did not realize that Harry could not speak of Severus. Everyone elses' concern about Harry suddenly became clear.
Muggle psychiatry, a sentient castle that can make an avatar for itself, Binns as a major player, excellent characterizations of Severus and Harry. Whew!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:47 pm UTC

slashpine
2008-05-04 09:35 pm UTC (link)

What a terrific role for Binns! It was very interesting to see his character fleshed out... er no, to see how you brought him to life. No, that's not it either! :D

But you definitely brought the castle to life, and Severus back to life. Neat, neat concept! I was aware from the start that there was going to be a big mystery sekrit revealed - hoping dreadfully that it wasn't going to be a Sixth Sense dead person walking kind of secret!!! So I was really quite relieved to see that both were alive and going to stay that way. ;-)

A great psychological thriller! Almost a "Psycho" one - so happy to see them together and safe at the end. And leaving the Castle - hee! I'm thinking happy honeymoon/ extended vacation thoughts to both of them! But I'll bet on their travels they won't be staying in any castles. :D

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-04 09:50 pm UTC

telwyrd
2008-05-04 11:45 pm UTC (link)

An indelible story with an intriguing mystery that had me constantly wondering what was going on, trying to figure out if Snape was really alive or if Harry was simply imagining Snape, and then pondering, in confusion, at Snape's sudden agoraphobia. The truth, however, left me flabbergasted. I was completely hooked, reading avidly until the end. This was a really great story, full of such strong emotions flowing through it: fear and uncertainty, anger and frustration, hope and optimism, depression and resignation, and, of course, love.

Cuthbert (nice name!) Binns' role, providing some answers to this enigmatic mystery and channeling Hogwarts Castle, was very well done. I enjoyed his back story and was pleased that he was able to aid Harry in his quest.

Harry, ah dear Harry, was so staunchly determined to find a solution to Snape's imprisonment. I liked how he kept Snape company, worrying over him, loving him, wanting to be his champion. That was so sweet.

Poor Severus! How he managed to stay sane that first year is beyond me. Thank goodness he had Harry in the following years, helping to ease the pain of utter loneliness. But still, it seemed so unfair and cruel what was done to him. You conveyed poignantly his desperate struggle to continue living each day, his quiet suffering, his resignation at his fate, and his flirting, now and again, with just ending it all.

Reading how Snape wanted to be a phoenix and Harry a dragon made me smile. Your reasoning for their choices was irreproachable.

The ending had me worried for a while. You certainly know how to prolong the suspense! I was so relieved when everything turned out all right. Oh frabjous joy and happiness! I don’t know if I could have handled it if it had gone otherwise. I was near tears at the scene of Harry at last finding Snape sitting at the Whomping Willow. Don’t blame Severus for never wanting to go back to Hogwarts. ::shudders::

Down a Rabbit Hole was an exceptional and finely written story! Magnificent! Kudos to you!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 12:43 am UTC

kabbers
2008-05-05 12:11 am UTC (link)

What a beautiful story. I loved every momemnt of it. Although you had me scared there for awhile that Severus was actually dead and that Harry was only imagining everything.

I loved how you brought in the phoenix and the dragon into the story and brought out the virtues of both these magical creatures.

I would love to see a oneshot showing everyone's reaction to an alive Severus Snape though:)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 12:53 am UTC

igtow
2008-05-05 12:43 am UTC (link)

Brava! It's been a long, long time since I've actually read a story word for word, but this one proved so captivating, that's just what I did. The mystery, the way the story unfolded, all of it intrigued and kept me following the tasty breadcrumb trails you left us. Once explained and I thought we could move on to resolution, you wrung us out with their mutual downward spiral, leaving us just as desperate as Harry and Severus and equally as dazed when the end just rushed by and overwhelmed. I'm still kind of stunned, but in a good way. Masterfully done, my dear.

FTW! Rrroooaaarrr!!!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 12:59 am UTC

	snarry_fan7 2008-05-05 01:06 am UTC (link)
	A most interesting and wonderful story! I really love the plot and what we learn about the castle. Marvelous work.~Sophia (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 01:54 am UTC

alisanne
2008-05-05 01:21 am UTC (link)

I really hope that this posts because IJ has been wonky all night...

It took me a while to understand what was happening in the story, you really built the plot slowly and carefully, layering the facts until I finally got the full picture. It was quite suspenseful right up to the very end when I was literally on the edge of my chair, nervous to see how it would all turn out. Very effective technique!
I enjoyed Binns, and the castle, and even the tiny cameos from Hermione and Ron. It all made perfect sense once I understood why it was all happening.
Well done!
And Severus as a Phoenix definitely made sense to me. ;)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 01:57 am UTC

	gaycrow 2008-05-05 01:46 am UTC (link)
	This is a nice, easy-to-read story that kept me reading until the end ... I really needed to see if Snape managed to get "free". It was lovely to see the close relationship between Snape and Harry, and interesting seeing how Harry dealt with the castle. I liked that Harry was utterly determined to save his Severus. ♥ (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 02:00 am UTC

	simons_flower 2008-05-05 01:50 am UTC (link)
	Oh wow. This one gripped me and just held on. What a great concept -- then the way Harry challenged the castle, but neither won nor lost but fought it to a draw of sorts and still got Severus in the end... wow. (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 02:03 am UTC

oni_butterfly
2008-05-05 03:22 am UTC (link)

A very satisfying read. I don't think I've read a story in a while that kept constantly throwing me off my feet like this story did. I was the edge of my seat from about halfway through till the end!

I'm trying to figure out my favorite part, but it's a little difficult since the entire thing really stands out in my mind. One part that made me laugh out loud was the "Would you rather be a Dragon or A phoenix?" discussion. Their choices, Severus as the phoenix and Harry as the dragon, seems to be exactly what they would each choose. It seems to match them so well.

Wrapping this up, wonderful story and thank you for writing it!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 11:44 am UTC

alexis_sd
2008-05-05 05:30 am UTC (link)

Once again your imagination and talent with words leave me speechless.

You spun a tale that had me on the end of my chair the entire time and I find the psychology of the characters simply stunning.

While the plot itself was great and the reason why Severus was punished absolutely believable, the Castle very much the child you described, it is still the characters that shine the brightest for me.

The way you described the changes and the mental pressure that each of them goes through is beyond words. The truth is I didn't even realise Harry was going through the stages of bad news - denial, anger, bargaining... - until you said it outright and then I went back, followed his behavior and it was all there, but I had somehow missed it. It had clicked as right, as the thing that would happen under the circumstances, but I hadn't seen it for what it was. I wonder if this makes me an idiot or you brilliant for managing to make something out of a textbook so real and unique and specific to Harry.

I loved every single minute of this story as much as I suffered it. This was not a light read that one can just go through, smile and then leave undisturbed. I fear that I'll need a few days before I'm able to read another fic and be able to actually drown in it, no matter how good what comes next is. And that is what makes your fic stand out even more.

Thank you for the ride. It was worth every word and every second.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 11:49 am UTC

suze_y
2008-05-05 05:32 am UTC (link)

... Speechless. Well, maybe not quite: What an inspired piece of story-telling! So original (I love the use of Binns and the castle as a player in its own right) and gripping – wow! I got really immersed in this. As the situation unfolded ever so gradually, I felt almost as confused and frustrated and trapped as I imagine Harry and Severus did – in fact, I really felt like I was taking the emotional journey along with them, and found that I was rather intensely anticipating the resolution of it all. And resolve it you did, spectacularly. Wow again. Which really doesn’t express it well enough. Thanks for this wonderful story and the happy, hopeful ending!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 11:51 am UTC

	centaury_squill 2008-05-05 06:37 am UTC (link)
	Well done on the misdirection, it had me fooled! I knew something was out of kilter but didn't guess what - I was horribly afraid they were both dead and didn't know it, so a big relief there. And extra house points for your use of Binns! A fascinating read. Go Dragons, ROARRRRRRRRRRR! (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 11:53 am UTC

torino10154
2008-05-05 06:59 am UTC (link)

Not for the first time, you've floored me with a brilliant story. I won't do it justice but I loved that first Severus was the needy/nutty one and then once they reached that turning point Harry went off the deep end and Severus was more together. I didn't realize Harry couldn't say what was happening. I loved the castle-I nearly died when Harry was prostrate on the floor, basically begging the castle to let Severus go. Binns was a great touch as a way for Harry to talk about Severus as well as giving advice. I adored the phoenix/dragon conversation ;), when Harry rushed back frantic only to find Severus shaving, when Severus was pondering Alice's feelings for the White Rabbit LOL, Harry as both the castle's and Severus's champion-calling in a favor in the end. I could go on and on but I will just say I loved it.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 07:52 pm UTC

	rakina 2008-05-05 07:02 am UTC (link)
	I'm so excited to see your story posted. I've not got round to reading it yet, but I just wanted to say thanks for being such a great Capitan, and I know I'll love this story, even though I've done nothing but download it so far... Go Dragons!!! (Reply to this) (Thread)

joanwilder, 2008-05-05 07:53 pm UTC

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