So I wasn't sure I'd manage reading everything at
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hp_beholder before reveals (since I don't usually), but I somehow did this year! *does dance*
And, as an aside, if you're interested in further discussions about the fest, do check out
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beholder_plus, where there are very spirited discussions going on regarding 'Beholder appropriate" characters. /pimp
Right, so on to the recs. Again I should make clear, this year's fest was truly stellar, with outstanding stories. The ones I mention are only those that stood out to me. YMMV.
Two Capable Women R, 6700 words, Irma Pince/Minerva McGonagall.
This story hooked me from the first line. The writing is engaging, clever, tongue-in-cheek and, well,
witty. I could have read far more of it, TBH. The story revolves around Minerva and Irma, who are clearly meant to be BFFs. Now if only they agreed. *g* Of course, they do manage to bond over their mutual dislike of a motivational speaker, sent to...motivate them. All in all a delightful story. If you haven't yet, go read it now. Clever author is VERY clever.
A Dictionary of Silences R, 2500 words, Mad-Eye Moody/Remus Lupin.
Of course Alastair Moody can make silence into an entire conversation. But who would have predicted that it would be Remus Lupin who could translate this hidden language? *shakes head* Unlikely pairing, yes, but the author makes them seem almost inevitable.
Dull as Dirt, Brilliant as the Stars PG-13, 4343 words, Greg Goyle/Millicent Bulstrode.
This one was almost painful to read, TBH. First I wanted to slap Millicent, then I wanted to slap the MoM, and finally I just wanted to cuddle everyone. This Millicent is tough and gives no quarter, and this Goyle is thick, or so we think until he proves to utterly brilliant. Both were totally IC and yet I still wanted to cuddle them by the end. This sort of story is why Beholder is such a fabulous fest.
Magnetism PG, 3700 words, Dudley Dursley/Millicent Bulstrode.
This story is very simple, deceptively so, in fact. Dudley runs away from Vernon and Petunia, who are putting too much pressure on him, and finds Millicent, who he fancies. Simple, right? But the similarities in their backgrounds and the subtext make this a great character study. Both Dudley and Millicent know what they want, and are bold enough to go after it, but they also have that little bit of insecurity that gets me
every time. This one totally hooked me.
And, because I didn't mention it at the time, I got a fabulously imaginative gift in this fest!
Do Pass Go is also Dudley/Millicent, who step up and basically save Harry for a change. It has some fabulous pop-culture references (Modesty Blaise AND Dr Who, FTW!) and is wibbly wobbly AND timey wimey. If you enjoy that, do check it out!
So that's it!
Reveals are Saturday the 25th I believe, so if you have a few free hours and want something different to read, do check out the fest. I contemplated putting up a guessing post, but my muse has been...weird lately, so maybe not. ;)
And, as always, if you see/read/encounter something you enjoy, don't forget to leave the creator some love.
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