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Tweak says, "TEQUILA!"

spfestmod (spfestmod) wrote in snape_potter,
@ 2015-05-07 11:57:00

Entry tags:

fic, rating: nc-17, snarry-a-thon15

Snarry-a-Thon15: FIC: Painted in the Worst Light
Title: Painted in the Worst Light
Author: asecretchord
Other pairings/threesome: Mention of prior Severus/Regulus
Rating: NC-17
Word count: 98,448
Content/Warning(s): *Discussion of child abuse, canon-level violence, reference to sexual acts between two minors*
Prompt: #59: Severus survived Nagini's bite and is now on trial before the Wizengamot. Due to a weird loophole in the law books, he has the right to choose any Ministry employee to defend him, and he chooses Auror-trainee, Harry Potter.
Summary: See prompt.
A/N: I am extremely fortunate to have a long list of people to thank for assisting me with this story. Though the act of writing is largely a solitary act, it is also a communal one and I've had quite of bit of support during the creative process. First, many thanks to torino10154 who granted me an extension the moment I signed up and another one after that, and to lilyseyes who stepped up to assist with modly duties; to EE and BL who alpha-read this story when I was lost in the tall weeds with no clue where I was or what I was doing; to alisanne who granted me permission to adapt her story Of Resistance and Legilimency for Neville's testimony (if you haven't read her story, you should); to Jessica for beta-reading when Snarry so isn't her thing; and to percygranger who cheered and encouraged and believed I could finish this story when I was certain I couldn't.

In addition to quoting the prophecy verbatim, there is one direct quote from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by JK Rowling, and it appears during Umbridge's testimony. As for the Ministry's criminal justice system, I made it up based partially on the way Harry's hearing was conducted at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and my own somewhat twisted imagination. It is in no way designed to be the least bit fair to the defendant. While I tried to stick close to canon, not everything is 100% accurate. All errors are mine and mine alone.

(Painted in the Worst Light)

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	snarry_fan7 2015-05-08 01:55 am UTC (link)
	A truly amazing story. I love the intricacies of wizarding law and I loved how the trial unfolded. Wonderful characterizations of everyone, especially Harry and Severus. I loved reading about each person's view of Severus. Very well done!~Sophia (Reply to this) (Thread)

	jeshakeoma 2015-05-19 01:17 am UTC (link)
	My original plan had a lot more law and a lot more structure, and then I threw it all out because I figured Harry had no idea what he was doing. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story. Making thirty people all sound different is hard work! Thank you so much! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	amanitamuscaria 2015-05-09 09:49 am UTC (link)
	What a lovely long read! I enjoyed how you made Harry think it out, yet go with his instincts to work out Severus's defence. Building up a slow case in front of the Wizengamot whilst building his own feelings for Severus was magic, and really? Expecting Harry to follow the rules? Very nice little vignette for the ending, as well. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	jeshakeoma 2015-05-19 01:20 am UTC (link)
	Harry worked hard on this trial, especially given how in over his head he was. I'd love to see the book he threatened to write. It would be a how-to guide to utter lawlessness. I'm delighted you enjoyed the story. Thanks so much for commenting! (Reply to this) (Parent)

majmunka
2015-05-10 07:47 pm UTC (link)

What a wonderful treat. Not an adventure fic but I couldn't unclench my fist until the very end. It's beautifully crafted, you thought a lot about the whys and reasons, looking behind many episodes of their stories. You made me weep more than once and the patronus scene was brilliant. It was a joy to see Harry's love healing a broken Severus and making him flourish. The epilogue is a masterpiece in its own right, drawing tears without being sentimental. Thanks so much, I'm in awe <3

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	jeshakeoma 2015-05-19 01:24 am UTC (link)
	What a gift of a comment! It makes me wish I could sit down and read the story without knowing the ending. It's very moving to hear I touched your emotions and even more gratifying to know that you noticed what I had hoped to convey—that love touches us all. Thank you so much! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	lilyseyes 2015-05-11 07:21 pm UTC (link)
	What a satisfying, long read! I love the magical law interwoven in the trial and, of course, the developing feelings between Harry and Severus. A lovely, lovely story! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	jeshakeoma 2015-05-19 01:25 am UTC (link)
	Thank you so much! I'm delighted to know you enjoyed it! (Reply to this) (Parent)