Tweak

InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "PAWPRINT!"

Username: 
Password:    
Remember Me
  • Create Account
  • IJ Login
  • OpenID Login
Search by : 
  • View
    • Create Account
    • IJ Login
    • OpenID Login
  • Journal
    • Post
    • Edit Entries
    • Customize Journal
    • Comment Settings
    • Recent Comments
    • Manage Tags
  • Account
    • Manage Account
    • Viewing Options
    • Manage Profile
    • Manage Notifications
    • Manage Pictures
    • Manage Schools
    • Account Status
  • Friends
    • Edit Friends
    • Edit Custom Groups
    • Friends Filter
    • Nudge Friends
    • Invite
    • Create RSS Feed
  • Asylums
    • Post
    • Asylum Invitations
    • Manage Asylums
    • Create Asylum
  • Site
    • Support
    • Upgrade Account
    • FAQs
    • Search By Location
    • Search By Interest
    • Search Randomly

snarrymod ([info]snarrymod) wrote in [info]snarry_games,
@ 2009-09-02 00:52:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:fic, snitch

Team Snitch Entry (FIC): "Rook Castling Kingside" By WhiteCotton
Title: Rook Castling Kingside
Author: [info]whitecotton
Team: Snitch
Genre(s): Alive and Kicking
Prompt(s): Playing the Game and Last Hope
Rating/Warnings/Kinks: NC-17; Highlight if you wish to know: *underage kissing (Harry is 16), overage sexing (Harry is over 17)*
Word Count: ~35,500
Author Notes/Disclaimers/Betas: A huge thank you to [info]atypicalsnowman for not sighing or yelling each time I said, “Guess what, I’ve deleted my fic and started again!” Instead she just listened and encouraged me, and also pushed Harry into the scene when it looked as though Lucius was making himself at home. Thanks also to my betas, [info]rakina and [info]jadzialove for making this resemble more a story and less like a legal paper.
Disclaimer: Anything recognisable belongs, in all rights, to JK Rowling.


Summary: Severus knows he is going to die in the war and is more than happy to oblige. Too long he has been the rook to Dumbledore’s queen, protector of Harry Potter – the king. Now he yearns only for peace. As the war with the Dark Lord intensifies, he makes his plans and indulges in recollection.





"Rook Castling Kingside"




Don't forget to vote and review!




MOD NOTE: POLL IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE SNARRY GAMES.




Mod note: If you rec this story, please link this POST, not the story url, or the author will not get her proper vote tally. Thank you!

Page 1 of 3
<<[1] [2] [3] >>

(Post a new comment)


[info]dani_meows
2009-09-02 06:32 am UTC (link)
This was lovely and well written! I loved the language and the imagery and it was just lovely! ^_^

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-02 04:20 pm UTC

[info]atypicalsnowman
2009-09-02 06:38 am UTC (link)
Ha. Your Harry ended up being wonderfully mature and a perfect companion for your Severus who did not sound like a legal document. Their relationship grows slowly and it's interesting watching them as they watch the clouds in the beginning and then see Harry fumble around Severus as their relationship truly begins. The progression was so natural and so perfect for Snarry.

The back and forth in the time line was something I especially adored and the story is richer because of that.

And the smut...

*sighs*

You always write the best smut. But then it is you.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-02 04:33 pm UTC

[info]joanwilder
2009-09-02 07:25 am UTC (link)
It's such a pleasure to read a long story that's so well-written. There were so many places where I just marveled at your style and your ability to write great IC dialogue for all of your characters. And it was plotty and the sex was mmmmmm and you left the structure of canon intact, but crucially changed its content. And I noticed that your timeline swung at times, but I was never confused because you did that so well. I really do like stories that aren't told chronologically; it gave yours an extra measure of tension and depth.

One part of your diversion from canon that I really liked was that Harry and Snape knowing about each other's roles made both of them feel so, well, less alone. When Snape died in canon, I thought that was one of the saddest parts: that he'd played his part so well and then suffered the horrible consequence of living out the rest of his days with everyone thinking him a murderer. No one knew, and that had to be the worst sort of loneliness. But you gave him, and Harry, at least the solace of knowing that one other person understood their hidden roles. And you really made me think about some other directions...intriguing ones...that JKR might've taken but didn't, chiefly the idea of it being best for Harry to return to Hogwarts for seventh year, where Snape could keep an eye on him, and help him.

You worked the chess scenes so well, and it was so spot on, because this entire war-to-war in the WW was one huge chess game, I think. I'd quote my favorite chess line, but I don't want to spoil anyone, but I especially like where Harry calls Snape the rook, the queenside castle, and Severus' whispered response put a lump in my throat. And the scene between Lucius and Snape in the office, where Snape show's him the chessboard move--that was intensely satisfying! And oh, working in Narcissa seeing the signet ring was genius! I felt vicarious gratification for Snape when Harry told him what she'd said.

Always like to point our at least one line I especially loved; you had so many that it was hard, but here you go:

The only occasion one could class as remotely romantic was when I said ‘bless you’ to your sneeze!” Heeeee!

I did guess what Snape was up to, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the fic in the least. This is a wonderful wartime story; I was so pulled along that I can't believe two hours have gone by. So, my Snitch, you've nailed your genre and prompts, and given me a story that's already been saved to my 'to reread' file. Congrats, my friend!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-02 04:52 pm UTC

[info]lilyseyes
2009-09-02 09:08 am UTC (link)
I truly wish I could vote, because at this moment I would be entering 9 after 9! I love how you balanced the two of them and how they balancd each other, both clinging to hope. Very well done and lovely to read. An excellent story! Can we just substitute HBP and DH with your story?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-02 05:01 pm UTC

[info]centaury_squill
2009-09-02 11:31 am UTC (link)
I love the way this was written, especially as it shows Severus' perspective, and the non-linear narrative really works here. I wasn't quite sure what Severus' game plan was, but trusted (rightly) to you and the genre! The Snarry relationship was utterly believable given your minor changes to canon. It was good to see glimpses of Severus' past with Lucius Malfoy, too. Bravo!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-02 05:12 pm UTC

[info]gingertart50
2009-09-02 01:34 pm UTC (link)
Oh my god. You made me cry. I kept stopping because I didn't want to reach the end, caught in this balance of hope and dread. Then the ending - perfect, utterly perfect. This is a compelling, clever and beautiful fic. Your Lucius, your Harry and Snape were brilliant, wonderfully in character.

Thank you! I owe you a drink. *nods*

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-02 04:18 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]gingertart50, 2009-09-02 06:07 pm UTC

[info]fancypantsdylan
2009-09-02 03:41 pm UTC (link)
You made me cry *sniff* :D

That was truly an honour to read and I'm so pleased you shared it with us.

I just thoroughly loved every minute of reading this, I can't wait to read it again, totally awesome.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-02 05:16 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]fancypantsdylan, 2009-09-02 05:33 pm UTC

[info]snafu07
2009-09-02 05:15 pm UTC (link)
Just wonderful! I have the bad habit of scanning more than reading sometimes, because you still get the gist of what's going on, but your story had me reading every word to make sure I didn't miss anything, I was impressed!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 08:10 am UTC

[info]auntmuriel
2009-09-03 03:05 am UTC (link)
I love how you took canon and twisted it into something so much more. And not just the Snarry but all of it. I always felt so badly for Minerva and have such an issue with how shabbily JKR treated her. She deserved more. And the scenes with Lucius were brilliant. I'd much prefer this to DH and HBP, much more satisfying, even if there was no smut (though I liked that too).

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:05 pm UTC

[info]morganlefay1958
2009-09-03 03:33 am UTC (link)
*releases a sigh of relief and does the happy dance* Whew!! A happy ending! YAY!!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 08:12 am UTC

[info]green_grrl
2009-09-03 05:37 am UTC (link)
Oh, I wish this is how canon had gone, instead! It's so much more ... humane, through both the last two years. I love Lucius's friendship throughout as well.

I had guessed that Severus was making an alias for Harry his heir, but hadn't guessed they would both survive--what a lovely surprise ending!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 08:14 am UTC

[info]veridian_dair
2009-09-03 07:39 am UTC (link)
I have the sudden urge to rip out the last half of DH and replace it with your story, I love it that much. It was so wonderful (and the smut so HOT) I am left speechless. The ending hit me hard....didn't see it coming.

I am SO proud to be your teammate!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 08:17 am UTC

[info]slashpervert
2009-09-03 08:17 am UTC (link)
Such an amazingly complex story with so much heart. That was something seriously missing from DH, the heart -- the love and compassion for the characters. I agree, I much prefer this version to that of JKR's final installment. Beautifully written. Thank you.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:08 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]atypicalsnowman, 2009-09-04 02:51 am UTC

[info]eriador117
2009-09-03 08:41 am UTC (link)
I had to skim over the bottom!snape part, LOL, but I loved the rest. This his how canon should have gone, slash and all ;)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:09 pm UTC

[info]zephre
2009-09-03 01:24 pm UTC (link)
loved this - what a gloriously complex and nuanced plot! it was everything we should have seen in canon AND a wonderful ending as well.
Beautiful work.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:10 pm UTC

[info]house_elf
2009-09-03 04:06 pm UTC (link)
I was worried that this would be a death fic despite checking the warnings. Thank you for weaving a beautiful tale into HBP and DH canon.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:12 pm UTC

[info]magialuna
2009-09-03 08:17 pm UTC (link)
This story is just... wow. I really, really enjoyed it even though I was fairly certain that you were going to end up having Severus and Harry meeting up at King's Cross after Harry sees Dumbledore there...

I have to say that for *me* the best part was the inclusion of Severus' close friendship with Lucius. Showing a Lucius who is also horrified by what he has gotten himself into yet still retains that pureblood hauteur - just wow. I could feel the UST in the potions room and I wondered if you had a previous relationship between Severus and Lucius in mind when you wrote this. The saddest thing is that while Harry would always have known that Severus really did not die even if he did not choose to join him, Lucius would not have known. While Severus did disclose to him that he had plotted out the outcome and that he was doing it as an agent of the light specifically to place their King in a favored position... he was also terribly vague. I mourned for Lucius and really hoped that Severus left some sort of memory to assist him for after the defeat... something showing he had been essentially captive in his home with his family as hostages towards the end of the war.

I guess the best thing I can say to any author when I've read their work is that you kept my emotions strongly engaged the entire time I read this. Sometimes it was extreme sadness when Severus turned Harry away - sadness at their loss and sacrifice. Sometimes just a deep enjoyment in reading the love, sometimes it was my ridiculous happiness at the Lucius/Severus UST... lol. Thank you so much for sharing it.

Clare

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:20 pm UTC

[info]accioslash
2009-09-03 08:56 pm UTC (link)
Boy, I'm not even sure where to begin with this comment. My mind is just filled with so many thoughts that I don't know which to release first.

I loved the imagery here, the complexity, the way you worked in the chess scenes, the non-linear weave of the story. I was reasonably sure where you were taking us, but I loved the way you manged to still plant seeds of doubt so I was never quite positive that I could predict where we were headed.

As always, your Severus is brilliant. So very much as I see him. And I am simply awed by your twist on canon. It's such a perfect fit. I expected to love the Snape/Harry interaction, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I wanted to see more of Snape's interaction with Lucius, Dumbledore and Minerva. I never want to see more Gryffindors. ;D But there you have it.

My apologies for such an inarticulate comment, but I've been trying to formulate a coherent response for two days now and this appears to be the best I can do. Lovely and thought-provoking as always, my dear. Your writing always manages to stick with me. And I'm sure Lucius and Severus are holding you to that promise you made to them for your next writing foray. Just return Severus to Harry unharmed and we won't speak of it again. *g*

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:24 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]accioslash, 2009-09-03 11:59 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-04 10:21 am UTC

[info]snarry_fan7
2009-09-03 09:42 pm UTC (link)
Beautifully written and passionate. I love the intensity of their emotions and the plot. I like the switch between the past and the present with Severus as Headmaster. If only things had gone thus in the book. The ending is so lovely and perfect. Very well done!!~Sophia

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-03 11:26 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]snarry_fan7, 2009-09-04 12:19 am UTC

[info]jadzialove
2009-09-04 01:26 am UTC (link)
Goodness I enjoyed your version of teh canon. I particularly liked the non-linear telling of the thing, especially the scenes depicting Severus as headmaster during the 'occupation'. It would have to have been a horrendous year for him, and found myself wishing to have even more of that. I do love the idea that he knew where Neville was and what he was up to and had Ernie MacMillan sent to him in secret to keep him safe.

A very clever retelling with an enormously satisfying ending.

Yay Snitches!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-04 09:54 am UTC

[info]montana_dan
2009-09-04 02:16 am UTC (link)
I'm still reading this, but I'm loving it. I'll be back.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-04 09:55 am UTC

[info]amenaneri
2009-09-04 03:14 am UTC (link)
Great job!! Wow, this one's definitely going to be re-read at least once--there was so much there to get. I loved the dialogue, and as joanwilder said, I ADORED that Severus didn't have to bear the burden alone, and how you had that all play out--from Dumbledore revealing Snape's role, to the totally unexpected (for Severus) compassion and love from Harry--so much more satisfying than TDH. And just a beautiful ending.

I loved the hope ring subplot, too--what a wonderful image.

Awesome, awesome, many times awesome.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-04 10:00 am UTC

[info]torino10154
2009-09-04 04:32 am UTC (link)
Brilliant! I love chess parallels in fic and this was just perfect. I like the way you rewrote Severus and Harry's more recent history at Hogwarts, the beauty of the ring as well as the meaning it held, Severus's relationship with Lucius-even tipping his hand to him, then of course Harry's choice in the end. I'm sure I am forgetting a million things but I truly adored this. Well done.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-04 10:06 am UTC

[info]leni_jess
2009-09-04 08:00 am UTC (link)
The braided timelines meant I had to pay a lot of attention to sort out where events fell, but this was an interesting treatment of a developing relationship, as well as a solution that would avoid the purgatory both their lives would have been. Thank you; I enjoyed it very much, and was glad to see each of them respecting the other, and growing to complete equality.

Lucius's part was fascinating, and it was good to see him represented as having human feelings of affection and remorse as well as broken pride and desperation.

I don't play chess, so thanks for making the chess metaphors clear to readers in that position, even if players would appreciate them better.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-04 10:11 am UTC

[info]plantinshadows
2009-09-04 09:09 am UTC (link)
wah! you had me angsting the whole story that they would die together! very well written! the jumps in the timeline just added to the suspense of what would finally happen. I loved the way harry and snape's relationship develops, it felt very real!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(no subject) - [info]whitecotton, 2009-09-04 10:20 am UTC

Page 1 of 3
<<[1] [2] [3] >>

Home | Site Map | Manage Account | TOS | Privacy | Support | FAQs