Congratulations to the winners of our guessing game! The GOLD MEDAL goes to cabepfir (with twelve correct guesses); SILVER is a tie between bvizen and enname (both with ten correct guesses); and the BRONZE MEDAL goes to kellychambliss (with eight correct guesses). Hooray!
Since our top three winners did, ahem, cheat a little capitalise most admirably on previous knowledge, loads of points have been awarded to Slytherin House in recognition of their skill. Professor Snape is rather proud of you lot.
In fact, let's just write this whole fest down as a big WIN for Slytherin House and Professor Snape, shall we not? You, dear friends, took up a challenge and made something fierce and surprising and insightful of it. Your forty-three entries remembered a side of Professor Snape that often, in these post-war halcyon days, is more easily left forgotten: that he was not always a hero, and not at all a pleasant sort of person. Instead of decrying this side of Professor Snape, you analysed it, aimed it a level gaze, proved it need not be unenjoyable or unworthy of interest. You proved there were still lessons here to be learned, that goodness and nastiness can coexist, that ambiguity and paradoxes and yes, even horrible acts still have much to teach us. This is tremendous, simply tremendous, and you should all treat yourselves to an enormous round of applause. That includes you, dear readers and reccers and commenters: you made this fest come alive.
Speaking of which, a special award goes to cabepfir for commenting on every single entry!
But now, onto the Reveal (this means you may now post your entries under your name and wherever you like, dear creators):
ART
A Terrible Mistake by bvizen (Severus Snape, Voldemort, Albus Dumbledore, Sibyll Trelawney; G/WS) -- on LJ|DW Young Severus Snape reports the Prophecy to his master.
After the Rain by enname (Severus Snape, Harry Potter; G/WS) -- on LJ|DW If occlumency lessons had a been an inherently violent and dangerous dialogue, then this was the public realisation of it, incased in a framework of trivial pedagogical abuse, but speaking of war, spies and bitter revenge.
Almost like my Lily by zarkir (Severus Snape/Lily Evans; NC-17/NWS) -- on LJ|DW Lily dies, and that last shred of humanity in him dies with her.
...And You Will Eat Your Sprouts! by sigune (Severus Snape, OC; G/WS) -- on LJ|DW Having a (severe!) teacher for a parent is not always fun...
Fancy meeting you here, Igor by julesdrenages (Severus Snape, Igor Karkaroff; PG/WS) -- on LJ|DW Sure, he turned in other Death Eaters to the Wizengamot then, and Snape amongst them. But it was a long time ago, and Snape is the understanding and forgiving type, after all. No reason to worry about meeting him again, after all these years. . . Right?
He Dogs Me Still by akatnamedeaster (Severus Snape; PG/WS) -- on LJ|DW Even during an act of valor he can appear.
He Named Him Albus Severus? by akatnamedeaster (Severus Snape; PG/WS) -- on LJ|DW Snape's opinion on this is succinct.
Intention of the Spell by sealcat (Severus Snape/Lily Evans, Severus Snape/Sirius Black; R/NWS) -- on LJ|DW We don't know if Snape did test on anything while created Sectumsempra, but one thing for sure that he is created it with the intention for use on his enemies.
The Little Prince by zarkir (Severus Snape; R/NWS) -- on LJ|DW What did Snape do as a Death Eater, before going back to Dumbledore? Did he torture/kill/whatever someone? Did he enjoy it?
Look at me by john_n_mary (Severus Snape/Lily Evans; R/NWS) -- on LJ|DW Snape has created a Lily automaton. To animate it, he has to sacrifice a part of his soul.
Prior Incantato by magnetic_pole (Severus Snape; PG/WS) -- on LJ|DW Within these walls, a wizard came of age. Three glimpses of Severus Snape's childhood home with key spells recalled.
Not if you don't get caught by margi_lynn (Harry Potter(+Severus Snape)/Ginny Weasley; R/WS) -- on LJ|DW "PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard."
ART + FIC
A Difficult Man by sixpence_jones (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger; PG/WS) -- on LJ|DW Severus faces the most surprising turn of events at a Midwinter Ball.
Deep is the lore... by margi_lynn (Severus Snape; G/WS) -- on LJ|DW "White is the dust of the state of dreaming, Light is the mixture to make one still, Dark is the powder of Death's redeeming, Mark but that one pinch can kill" -- Sooj Tucker, 'Mushroom Song'
The Deeply Horrible One(s) by bvizen and o_mayari (Severus Snape/Remus Lupin; G/WS) -- on LJ|DW What happens when a man drinks wine or chocolate in a random bar, and thinks of women.
FIC
A Tangled Web by writcraft (Severus Snape/Harry Potter, Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, unrequited Severus Snape/James Potter; NC-17) -- on LJ|DW ‘Infatuation turns to obsession; he knows it’s unhealthy, but he can’t stop.’
A Turning Towards by delphi (Argus Filch/Severus Snape; R) -- on LJ|DW The only thing more dangerous than a bastard like Snape is the man who just wants to make him happy.
A Virtuous Man by dueltastic (Severus Snape/Minerva McGonagall; PG) -- on LJ|DW Severus manipulates his lover in subtle ways in order to keep his/her attention.
Absolutely Meaningless by cabepfir (Severus Snape; PG-13) -- LJ|DW That Sunday afternoon, he just had nothing to do.
The Ambiguity of Aggression by notearchiver (Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Minerva McGonagall, portrait!Snape; PG-13) -- on LJ|DW The truth is always ambiguous, and Snape was nothing if not that. Hermione and Harry are reminded of this in a painful manner.
Bitter Going Down by dueltastic (Aberforth Dumbledore/Severus Snape; R) -- on LJ|DW Severus and a prospective friend or lover bond over shared misanthropy.
Breaking Strings by pretty_panther (Severus Snape; PG-13) -- on LJ|DW Severus still feels like a puppet, it just happens that Albus is pulling a different set of strings. When he is given the chance to re-unite with the Death Eaters at the world cup and make his own decision he takes it without really thinking about it.
Defensive Measures by centaury_squill (Severus Snape, Hogwarts staff; PG) -- on LJ|DW Ever wondered about Snape's contribution to the Philosopher's Stone protection? Wonder no more...
The Demons by carolinelamb (Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Voldemort/Ginny Weasley, Voldemort/Severus Snape; NC-17) -- on LJ|DW He could not help it. His own inability to ease its pain, to comfort this creature frightened him. Clearly it was suffering, and needed help. If love was his greatest strength, should he not be able to extend his love to this thing, regardless of how repulsed he was?
Evan Ames Rises Up by florahart (Kingsley Shacklebolt/Andromeda Black, Severus Snape; R) -- on LJ|DW Snape's ghost possesses someone. He does it much more slowly, subtly and successfully than Voldemort did. No unicorn-blood required; Snape was MUCH better at potions than Voldemort was.
Fifty Shades of Truth by starcrossedgirl (Severus Snape/Harry Potter, Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley; R) -- on LJ|DW What’s white is black, what’s black is white. All shadows are a trick of the light. Right?
The Gentleman Bettor by meladara (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Malfoy; R) -- on LJ|DW Bound by the rules of magical society into performing a forfeit, despite the fact the Lucius clearly cheated in order to win the bet, Severus learns that sometimes it can pay to lose. However, that doesn't mean that revenge is off the table.
The Headmaster by kellychambliss (Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey, portrait!Albus; R) -- on LJ|DW Decent human beings couldn't or wouldn't do the things the Headmaster was required to do -- ergo, he couldn't be decent.
Hoist By His Own Petard by jaxomsride (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger; NC-17) -- on LJ|DW She's always trying to save lost causes.
Hrth’a’tet by of_anoesis (Severus Snape, Lily Evans, Moaning Myrtle, Bloody Baron; PG-13) -- on LJ|DW Everyone had a story. Most people couldn’t wait to tell you theirs. You just had to act as if you weren't really listening.
Like a man starved by lyre_flowers (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger; R) -- on LJ|DW He watched her beauty like a man starved, even though her eyes were cold steel as she unblinkingly stared at him.
Love's Disease by rainbowxrose (Severus Snape/Lily Evans Potter; NC-17) -- on LJ|DW Lily's lost her son and her husband. Trapped with Severus, she falls into a deep depression and wonders if she'll ever get out.
The Most Effective Means of Persuasion by farad (Severus Snape/Lily Evans, James Potter/Lily Evans Potter, Kingsley Shacklebolt/Alastor Moody; R) -- on LJ|DW Dumbledore always said he was certain of Snape's loyalty. And he was. After all he paid a high price for it. What was it? What did Dumbledore do to ensure Snape's fealty?
Necessary Destruction by desigrl (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley/Hermione Granger; PG) -- on LJ|DW Manipulation is Severus Snape's middle name. Today, it’s Ron Weasley’s turn to suffer.
Reflections from the Mirror by farad (Severus Snape/Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape/Aberforth Dumbledore, Kingsley Shacklebolt/Alastor Moody; R) -- on LJ|DW After the war, old animosities still remain, and even in death, Albus seems to still be in charge.
Romance of the Age by o_mayari (one-sided Regulus Black/Severus Snape, one-sided everyone/Lily Evans, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Malfoy; R) -- on LJ|DW The rise of Severus Snape, who was born miserable and low, and had nowhere to go, really, but up.
St. Mungo’s Grim Reaper by e_witness (Severus Snape, assorted cast; PG-13) -- on LJ|DW During the first war, Snape pulled shifts at St. Mungo's to make up for their overwork. Most of the time he does help the healers. But what about the times he doesn't? Why those people?
The Tie That Binds by laralee88 (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger, Minerva McGonagall; R) -- on LJ|DW In the end, it is up to you to decide who is worth the suffering.
The Toil of the Just by sarablade (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger; R) -- on LJ|DW Hidden in a cave, the remnants of Dumbledore's Army are fighting Voldemort and themselves, and losing on both fronts. Hermione's lost the key to her parents' memories to Bellatrix.
Windward by stylish (Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Malfoy; PG) -- on LJ|DW People always said Lucius Malfoy was a fair-weather friend. Even after a lifetime, Severus was never sure if he agreed or not.
POETRY
Bitter Drink by smallbrownfrog (Severus Snape; G) -- on LJ|DW Deep in Gringotts there is a bottle ...
From the Beehive by primeideal (Severus Snape, Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter; G) -- on LJ|DW A Shakespearean sonnet -- 14 lines of iambic pentameter rhymed ABABCDCDEFEFGG -- employing the themes/metaphors of time and waste.
The Girl by luxlumos_32 (Severus Snape/Hermione Granger; PG) -- on LJ|DW Snape sees Hermione as his property since he saved her life in the third year. He has been waiting patiently for Hermione to grow up so he can claim her, but of course she is completely unaware. Snape goes to great lengths to keep all of his possessions.