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Tweak says, "We had a bonding moment!"

snapelyhols_mod (snapelyhols_mod) wrote in snapelyholidays,
@ 2011-12-22 01:01:00

Entry tags:

2011_fic, adult, fic4:bethbethbeth, handjob, snape/filch

gift fic for bethbethbeth, Snape/Filch, adult

Recipient: bethbethbeth

Author: atdelphi
Title: Father to the Man
Characters: Argus Filch/Severus Snape
Rating: Rated PG by author (The moddies consider this mild R, adult)
Content Info: *childrearing, domesticity, hurt/comfort*
Summary: A restricted spell goes awry, and Severus Snape is left scrambling to cover his tracks. Meanwhile, Argus Filch turns out to be surprisingly good with small children, the nature of time is proven to be fiddly and anyone's guess, and (at least one) Severus gets a second chance at life.
Disclaimer: The world of HP and its characters belongs to Rowling. The author of this fic has borrowed them for the purposes of storytelling. No profit was or will be made.
Word count: ~20,160
Author Notes: Title credited to Gerard Manley Hopkins, and by extension to William Wordsworth. The patient beta-readers who helped me with this story know who they are and have my gratitude. Thank you so much for the inspiring prompt, Beth! I hope you enjoy the story and have an absolutely marvellous holiday season.

( Father to the Man )

(Post a new comment)

bethbethbeth
2011-12-22 02:02 pm UTC (link)

You, mystery author, are now my favorite person in the world (unless you were already one of my favorite people in the world, in which case: I love you!).

This story is amazingly lovely - and suspenseful! (in the sense that I was absolutely sure until the very last line that Adult!Severus was going to sabotage his future *g*)

Some specific notes:

Massage and how amazing it can be with the right hands on you (and Filch's smugness afterwards was perfect)

Little Severus is fantastic, as is the grown man's initial distaste for his younger self. I particularly loved this line: "His memories of childhood were of competency, of clear thought, of culpability—not of seawater-drinking idiocy.

And the section surrounding this: "Come here," Filch said, putting his pipe aside. He grabbed Severus by the wrist and gently pulled him back onto the bed. "You look pale." - was incredibly touching. Poor Severus.

"I don't like those. They itch."
"That's how you know they're the good ones," (heh)

Wonderful sense of detail too, even with small moments like the Goblin referring to Severus as "the nestling."

And god, the visit to Spinner's End (and man, adult!Severus is just so incredibly emotionally stunted to do that to a child) was hugely painful. There…might have been tears.

"Well, come on out. Under a table's no place to be at midnight. 'Least not until you're old enough to drink." (heh)

"I lied and vouched that she was a delightful animal." (hah!)

Possibly the most amusing aspect of this whole scenario is that Dumbledore didn't have a clue that any of this was taking place…didn't even notice Filch was missing until the day after he returned to Hogwarts.

There's much, much more that I loved, but in summary: Yay!

I'll absolutely be adding this to my recs page as soon as the reveals take place. Thank you so much for a fantastic gift.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:37 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you so much for the kind comments and for the inspiring prompt. I had a blast writing this story (albeit with some moments of nail-chewing, writing for someone I know, whose writing I love so much). (Reply to this) (Parent)

	duniazade 2011-12-22 04:26 pm UTC (link)
	happy sigh Fantastic story, perfect in all respects. Just... thank you for writing. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:38 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you for reading! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	centaury_squill 2011-12-22 04:40 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, I much prefer this alternative universe to the canon one! Really enjoyed Severus (in both his incarnations) and fatherly Filch has never been so lovable. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:39 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you very much! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	gingertart50 2011-12-22 08:16 pm UTC (link)
	What a fantastic fic! I loved this; true to the characters (oh Severus, you are a nasty piece of work, aren't you? Who but you would drag a five year old to their home to prove that their parents are dead?) and the ending - perfect. Stunning. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:39 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	snegurochka_lee 2011-12-23 04:07 am UTC (link)
	This is an absolutely incredible story, and I shall be back with a more coherent comment in the morning! :)) (Reply to this) (Thread)

snegurochka_lee
2011-12-23 05:15 pm UTC (link)

*back* :)

This is just extraordinary. I adore the plot! It's so unique and clever. I generally don't go for de-aging fics, and time travel can make my head hurt, but this isn't quite like either of those genres. Congrats on coming up with such a fresh and unique idea!! The level of domesticity for both Snape and Filch was also just PERFECT. They clearly come to care for the kid, but neither of them ever hit my OOC or fluff button at all -- not even close. They were both just fantastic. Adult Snape especially just reacted to the kid absolutely perfectly, right from his very first words to him. :))) And good grief, IDK how you managed to do a kid's POV so perfectly and non-annoyingly in those segments, but you did. He was charming and sweet and naive and hilarious, and I loved his observations of Snape and Filch. And Filch, GOD, so rough and sexy and funny in all the right ways.

I had no idea how you were going to end this, and I admit I was really surprised at the direction it took. Maybe I've been reading too much darker fare lately, but I totally thought (as much as I could guess at all, which wasn't much!) that Snape would have to kill himself to allow the boy to grow up in his place (although in that case, I couldn't figure out how he wouldn't remember it happening). But I'm kind of glad you didn't go into mindfuck territory or darkness or tragedy. Somehow, you pulled off this brilliant happy ending! I still have some time-travel questions, but then... so does Snape, right? So, I'm happy to accept it all on the level that he does himself, and wander off into the Canadian sunset with them. :))) Brilliant storytelling.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:43 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you very much! Heh, admittedly, in a darker story, this might have ended with older Snape drowned in the well, but given that it's Christmas and Filch's practical approach won out on other fronts, I decided he could be quite right in his brush with the Many Worlds interpretation, and either something happens or it doesn't. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	lastscorpion 2011-12-23 04:14 am UTC (link)
	What a terrific story! I really enjoyed reading it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:44 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	jeri_p 2011-12-23 04:36 am UTC (link)
	This was so good. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:44 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! (Reply to this) (Parent)

lunafish
2011-12-24 03:44 am UTC (link)

This is truly wonderful! I never thought I could like Filch, but I do now so much. And Snape and little Severus were just so perfect. I love especially how Prof. Snape started out so Snape-like and horrible but gradually became even sort of lovable to his little self. And I don't know if you intended it, but there's such a wonderful echo here from Stephen King's Dark Tower series--I'm just glad that Prof. Snape decided not to let go (unlike Roland)! This is definitely one of my favorite stories from this season's fests. Such lovely characterization, such an interesting plot, and altogether such excellent writing, mystery author. I do look forward to learning who you are because I already want to read more of your work (and I just spent the last couple hours on this one!).

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:45 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you very much! Heh, and I wasn't consciously thinking of the Dark Tower series, but being a fan, I certainly must have had it in my head when I wrote this. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	secretsolitaire 2011-12-24 02:17 pm UTC (link)
	Quite an enjoyable read! The plot was creative and the ending delightfully unexpected. I liked how irritated Snape was with his younger self (and I agree with bethbethbeth that taking the kid to Spinner's End was a rather cruel thing to do to a five-year-old). I'm glad both Snapes got their chance for a happier life. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:46 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	lookfar 2011-12-27 11:16 pm UTC (link)
	Oh my lord, this is absolutely perfect. Not a jot out of place or out of tune, but poignant, imaginative, innovative and ... perfect. Don't I just love young Severus exploring the tower and finding the pamphlets under Filch's bed? And Snape's alarm at that was priceless. And taking Severus to the goblin bank, and Snape's chance to love the Inner Child? Priceless. (Reply to this)

	pale_moonlight 2011-12-28 08:51 pm UTC (link)
	Awesome! I can't say how much I love this story. Your Filch is a delight. Down to earth and with dreams and hopes, he's the three-dimensional character I like him to be. And your Severus -- both versions -- is fantastic. And what a wonderful plot. I read with bated breath. Brilliant work! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:46 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you very much! (Reply to this) (Parent)

perverse_idyll
2011-12-30 08:51 am UTC (link)

I have so much love for this fic -- not just aesthetic delight in a story beautifully told, or pure glee in its characterization, although I was absolutely smitten on first reading -- but a huge, growing affection for the story and its mercifulness and its faith in last-minute escapes.

I also have much to say, and innumerable quotes I have to sort through, which will have to wait until tomorrow night. The more I thought about it and read it over, the more this fic came together in a coherent whole that made Snape's salvation believable, and I want to babble about that. But I must give you short shrift tonight, dear author, and simply say that the central conceit of this fic is brilliant and moving and you've managed (once again, I'm guessing) to make me adore all the characters without softening or falsifying them one whit.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	perverse_idyll 2012-01-07 10:05 am UTC (link)
	On second thought, I'll wait until you re-post after the reveal. Because I've gone on for pages, and I think I'll spare us both the embarrassment. :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 03:50 pm UTC (link)
	I am so, so glad you enjoyed the story. This was admittedly one of those "Oh my gosh, I am naked and everyone is going to laugh at me" stories, and I've just been tickled pink by the positive response. (Reply to this) (Parent)

kelly_chambliss
2011-12-30 08:15 pm UTC (link)

I've been saving this story until I had time to savor it, and it's been worth the wait. I spent a blissful morning in the company of some of the most compelling, well-drawn characters it's been my pleasure to read. And this story is one of the most cleverly-plotted I've read in a long time. I truly had no idea where it was going, yet the ending is inevitable and eminently satisfying.

Filch is simply wonderful -- complex and intelligent and direct and yet so perfectly canon. I love the way you show his competence, how essential he is to the running of the school; I nearly cheered aloud when everyone had to face in the end just how indispensable he actually was. I love that, though of course he does not believe in "coddling," he's a loving a parent as anyone could wish -- yet all within the believable lines of Filch's character.

Severus, too, is beautifully presented: none of his rough edges smoothed away; he's not miraculously made kind and understanding just because his youthful self has appeared. His initial self-hatred makes sense as manifested towards the little boy, yet the gradual growth of his regard and consideration and -- yes, love -- is expertly and plausibly shown. That scene in Spinner's End is exceptional -- heart-wrenching for both of them and yet with its own tenderness. (Severus facing the fact that he probably would not long have been missed -- argh.) I love the way you play throughout with the notions of linear and branching time and how those ideas come together at the end to let our particular Severus accept the possibility of a different world for himself. (And of course he's only going because he needs to make sure Filch doesn't fuck it up -- of course. Because sure, now it's all bicycles and crayons (great line), but soon.... Such a perfect face-saving out. And how skillfully you turn the term "annoyance" from slur to endearment.)

But as wonderful as both these characters are, it's little Severus who is the complete tour de force. You capture his five-year-old mind and voice brilliantly. From the minute he told us about the castle and spent his morning hopping down the twirly stairs and arming himself with broom and bucket-helmet against the monsters whose existence he matter-of-factly accepts, I knew that he was going to be my favorite part of the story. You give his such wonderful details -- the lovingly-constructed "home" for his bugs, his questions, his spot-on reactions to older Snape's exposure of his child-secrets, that perfectly-annoying, perfectly-realistic scene of his kicking the furniture. I loved the heartwarming but unsentimental trip to Aberdeen, and I choked up a bit at his quietly-sobbed grief after the trip to Spinner's End and at the IC, understated tenderness with which Filch comforts him.)

And the way you use ideas of fatherhood and childhood is wonderfully-complex and thought-provoking. The Hopkins is perfect, as is the opening scene -- a literal and metaphorical rebirth, where the man delivers the child that he will parent and who will father him. Brilliant.

Simply superb -- except there's no "simple" about it. This is art, this is.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 09:05 pm UTC (link)
	blushes I've been waiting over a week now to tell you how much your feedback made my day. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story, and that young Severus was neither too twee nor too horrid. (Reply to this) (Parent)

fluffyllama
2011-12-31 07:55 am UTC (link)

I've been looking forward to reading this *so* much, but even the anticipation didn't prepare me for how much I was going to enjoy it.

This was just a wonderful read -- I'm not sure anything I've read in ages has made me smile so much or provided such a great read on so many levels. I second so many comments above that have been expressed much better than I can manage right now, and I can't wait to read it again. Fantastic.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 09:13 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you so much. :-) (And thank you for the rec!) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	drinkingcocoa.livejournal.com 2011-12-31 03:15 pm UTC (link)
	This is perfection. The slow, uncomfortable reclamation of love for one's younger self. The forming of a gay family. Canada. The appreciation for Filch after he had gone. Oh my goodness, everything. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 09:15 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. (This one was subtitled in my conversations as Happy Canadian Endings for All!) (Reply to this) (Parent)

countesszero
2012-01-01 03:11 am UTC (link)

The strangeness of the story was one of the loveliest in a long time! I noticed soon that I didn't know how the story would end which after some years of reading fan fcition should be impossible ;))

You broke my heart expertedly, and Child!Severus was so perfectly real!

I also very much liked the idea that no one appreciated Filch–until he was gone and everyone at the castle realised how valuable he had been. I had always had a soft spot for Filch, and the way he was written in the books–as comic relief, I'm sure–had somehow irked me. You brought him to life so beautifully! And I love you for giving him a place where people recognised his hard work and maybe treated him with more respect!

This was a perfect story to read on the first day of the New Year–a story about New beginnings! Thank you!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 09:16 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you very much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. (Reply to this) (Parent)

therealsnape
2012-01-01 01:42 pm UTC (link)

What an absolutely beautiful story. The plot works wonderfully well - and that's no mean feat when you've messed about with time. Thank heavens you're more skilled at it than Severus.

Your Filch is a delight. Perfectly IC, but with so many more dimensions. The practical way he solves the first set of problems with the boy. And every other problem after. No wonder the school nearly fell apart with him gone. And the rough-and-ready way in which he teaches the boy his manners. And Snape, too. The apologies-scene is terrific.

And Snape's painful honesty (no-one would miss him much) and slow acceptance of the annoyance are just as perfectly depicted.

But Little Severus steals the show. It's so difficult to get a child's voice right, and you got him to perfection.

A wonderful, beautifully-told, briliantly-characterized dream of a story. (Occasionally one is allowed to go over the top with adverbs. I won't make a habit of it.)

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	atdelphi 2012-01-10 09:25 pm UTC (link)
	I'm so glad you enjoyed the story and that the characters hit the right note for you. Thank you for the kind comments! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	myheartinhiding 2012-03-25 08:57 am UTC (link)
	I don't know that you'll see this message so long after the fest wrapped up, but I wept at the end of your story. Thank you so much for the tale, and for the happy tears. (Reply to this)