InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "why do birds suddenly appear"

snapelyhols_mod (snapelyhols_mod) wrote in snapelyholidays,
@ 2011-01-04 20:04:00

Entry tags:

2010_fic, adult, fic4:fanficforensics, snape/regulus

Gift fic for fanficforensics, The Turning Point, adult
Recipient: fanficforensics

Author: bethbethbeth

Title: The Turning Point

Characters: Severus Snape/Regulus Black, cameos appearances by Kreacher, Lucius Malfoy, and Lord Voldemort

Rating: Adult

Content Info: *Alcohol use. Occasional excessive swearing. Consensual underage sex . Implied imminent canon death.*

Summary: A tale of divided loyalties, choices made, and choices unmade.

Disclaimer: The world of HP and its characters belongs to Rowling.

Word count: ~4,950

Author Notes: I suppose it's possible that the seven mentions of Regulus in your sign-up form were merely a Slytherinesque misdirection where your preferences are concerned, fanficforensics, and yet...I suspect not!

( The Turning Point )

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fanficforensics
2011-01-05 08:09 pm UTC (link)

(IJ is fixed! Can comment! Phew.)

Thank you, mystery author! I love this so, so much! Such a great First War!Snape, making do with a little because Voldemort can't be bothered to acknowledge that some of his followers aren't rich purebloods, and not angsting all that much about whether he's doing the right thing because he simply belongs with the rest of the Slytherins. It was heart-wrenching how he kept trying to contact Regulus and got blown off. He feels so very young there. Severus' later bitterness over what Regulus said is very well written, not overblown or all-consuming, but still palpable. And Regulus getting upset over Kreacher... Aww. Loved their get-together scene too, it seems quidditch is good for something after all.

Regulus more or less dumping Severus over the revelation of his blood status was a shock, but he's very believable as a "true Black" who's never had cause or reason to second-guess what his family spoon-fed him. Also, he's a teenager, it makes sense that he hasn't yet considered the issue from all sides and is trying to make it clear where he belongs. I like to imagine that part of the reason Regulus started to doubt Voldemort (besides what happened to Kreacher) was that he had second thoughts about what he did to Severus -he hurt and lost someone he loved over all those pureblood-first ideas, and if someone like Severus could turn out to be a half-blood, maybe the pureblood ideology doesn't make quite that much sense...

The regular ending works great for me (because hey, drama), but the epilogue is a very, very nice cherry on the cake ;) Bet Regulus remembered the mixture that saved Kreacher and took some with him when he went after Voldemort's tacky jewelry. This time I prefer things to end well. It seems unfair for them to have such a short respite after their reconciliation before everything goes to hell again. Also, they're gorgeous together, and Sirius is probably spinning in his grave. Hehe.

Did I mention Regulus seven times? Woops :D Thank you so much for this! *grabs awesome story and runs*

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bethbethbeth
2011-01-22 05:33 pm UTC (link)

Thank you, thank you for such lovely feedback!

I'm really pleased you liked this story (I haven't written Snape/Regulus since about a week after Regulus was first introduced in OotP, so it was fun to be able to revisit the pairing), and particularly pleased that the youth of the two characters seemed to work. There's a tendency to write characters who are smart (like...Severus, for example) as older than they are, which yes...in some ways they are, but smart or not, these are still teenage boys.

"I like to imagine that part of the reason Regulus started to doubt Voldemort (besides what happened to Kreacher) was that he had second thoughts about what he did to Severus..."

Exactly!

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alisanne
2011-01-05 09:50 pm UTC (link)

Oooh. *shivers*
That first ending was awesome actually, although I certainly won't argue with the addition of some smut. *g*
And yes, trust Voldie-shorts not to think in practical terms and realize his followers would need food and clothes and warmth. *eyeroll*
You painted a very believable picture of per-war, 'hopelessly in love with what he can't have' Severus here. Happily, he COULD have it, it just took longer than he anticipated. :)
Well done!

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	bethbethbeth 2011-01-22 05:34 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks, my dear! I'm really glad the story worked for you (yes, what's twenty or so years of waiting? Heh.), and that you didn't..."object" to the epilogue. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	lookfar 2011-01-06 02:45 am UTC (link)
	I really like the emotional dynamic here - Severus's love and hurt pride, Regulus's bigotry and then his repentance. It's a great idea for behind-the-scenes story and I really enjoyed reading it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	bethbethbeth 2011-01-22 05:35 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks so very much. I'm so pleased the emotional aspects resonated with you. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	k8bnimble 2011-01-06 06:20 am UTC (link)
	I love the tension between Snape and Regulus and it broke my heart when Regulus turned on him but I would expect that given their philosophy. The hidden little extra was quite nice though!! Well done! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	bethbethbeth 2011-01-22 05:36 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! I...hmm, it's weird to say "I'm glad you were heartbroken" by Regulus turning on Severus (g), so I'll just say how gratified I am that the moment worked for you. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	venturous 2011-01-06 08:53 pm UTC (link)
	how marvelous!! I love everything about this story, including the tragic ending and smutty epilogue! They are both so young and vulnerable and stupid and brave and yet able to love each other.gush squee (Reply to this) (Thread)

	bethbethbeth 2011-01-22 05:40 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, thank you! And yes, they are stupid (at times, at least), aren't they? but that's the beauty of growing up...sometimes you can shake stupid off. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	torino10154 2011-01-07 02:53 pm UTC (link)
	I very much liked the set-up, how they came to keep each other's company, and how it all fell apart seemed quite realistic. Great (and appropriate) original ending but I never say no to smut. ;) Well done. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	bethbethbeth 2011-01-22 07:06 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks so much. I'm glad the story seemed believable and that you thought the original ending worked (even though...yes, 'a happy ending' is my middle name. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	leela_cat 2011-01-14 09:46 pm UTC (link)
	Gah. This is such a believable way for Severus Snape and Regulus Black to get together and break apart. They come from so much the same and different places. I did like the ending with R.A.B, but the epilogue was lovely too. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	bethbethbeth 2011-01-22 08:10 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks, hon! I so rarely have non-happy endings in my relationship fic, but this one felt appropriate. And then...I cheated! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

r_grayjoy
2011-01-19 06:51 am UTC (link)

Ohhhh, man oh man, your young Severus characterization here is brilliant. There are so many little details that just hit the nail on the head where he's concerned. Him being too proud to ask for charity in the opening bit. The way he refuses to get his hopes up or believe that what happened between Regulus and himself meant anything initially out of self preservation and the belief that no one could want him. Him being nasty and biting to Regulus when he resurfaces a year post-breakup out of self defense and anger. That he never lets go of his feelings for Regulus even after all the years in the "optional epilogue." Just so very him. Also, we can see him becoming the bitter, controlled man we know from the canon era, but he's not there yet; he's still got a lot of his youthful awkwardness and impulsiveness. Fantastic.

I love the way you've portrayed Regulus here as well. There's something Sirius-like in him; something about his mannerisms and arrogance and general air. But then he seems to very young and uncertain in the end when Kreacher's in danger. When he goes to Severus then the whole balance of power shifts.

The ending... oh, yes, perfectly painful. Finishing it with the letter... leaving Severus hanging in that way... wonderful. Although, gotta say, that epilogue is pretty damn fab too!! Guh, hotness, and LOVE Severus forcing promises and declarations out of Regulus in the heat of the moment. What a reunion!! And great last line. ::snicker::

The structure of this entire piece works very well also -- the present tense to past tense for the flashback and back again. Nice execution.

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