Some recs
Now that the fests are almost over, I'm finally getting around to doing some recs. Um. I hope you'll enjoy these. (And please excuse any errors/weirdnesses in this post; I'm pretty tired at the moment.)
Please note that I haven't read/looked at all the entries in any of the fests (which is a great shame, I know. Hopefully the creators will still appreciate receiving feedback after the reveals. I know I will). These are just some of my personal favourites; there are lots of fabulous stories and art in all of these fests.
From springtime_gen:
Toujours Pur (Walburga Black; PG-13) by anon fell_beast2
Snippets from the life of Walburga Black.
My gift! Its portrayal of Mrs Black as a stern matriarch is true to what we know about her from the books, yet the writer doesn't fall into the trap of making her a madwoman. I was especially moved and intrigued by her relationship with Regulus, and the painful dramatic irony of passages such as this one:
Walburga turned a stern gaze his way. “Regulus, Blacks cannot be cowards.”
He glared at her. “I’m not a coward!”
“How is anyone to know that if your own leader frightens you? No son of mine should be afraid of anything!”
Living Art (Dean, Seamus, Ted, Luna; PG-13) by anon magentabear
Dean's art is not a casualty of war.
The writing here is sparse, simple and beautiful, and the characterisations are perfectly vivid. I loved the writer's portrayal of Dean as an artist.
The Camel's Back (Amelia Bones; PG-13) by anon tetleythesecond
A prison breakout brings back memories.
This story has been recced a lot already, but I just couldn't overlook it. I love stories about competent and sympathetic, yet flawed female characters, and this is a wonderful example of the kind. It also features a delightfully horrible Umbridge, which can't be anything but good as far as I'm concerned.
From hp_beholder:
As Time Goes By (Rufus Scrimgeour / Augusta Longbottom; PG) by anon cardigrl
In the midst of war, unlikely alliances may form. Sometimes, they become more.
This was written for me, which is almost too good to be true as I wondered before the fest started if anyone had ever written this pairing. My mystery author did a lovely job of it, exploring power dynamics and class issues in the Wizarding World while telling a sweet, romantic story about two wary adults who learn to trust each other. (And as far as the ending is concerned, it's not AU in my book. So there.)
Fists of Ink (Millicent Bulstrode/Blaise Zabini, Rita Skeeter, Minerva McGonagall/Aurora Sinistra; R) by anon pale_moonlite
"Girls like you simply need to work a little harder, develop other strengths to be able to compete." (Rita Skeeter to Millicent Bulstrode)
I've been incapable of getting this story out of my head since I first read it. It deals wonderfully with Millicent's insecurities and ambitions, shows us a sweet romance between her and Blaise (as well as between McGonagall and Sinistra), and has some very clever use of magic. Skeeter's lines are a joy to read.
From snuna_exchange (all of these are Snape/Luna, obviously):
Captured by Moonlight (art; NWS) by anon chazpure
The spell she'd used to save him bound them closer than she'd anticipated, but they discovered that after years in servitude to cruel and capricious Masters, Severus accepted the mark and collar of a loving Mistress with astonished joy.
This was just posted, and it's for meeeeeee. It has affectionate!BDSM, realistic tits (hurrah!), and lovely colours. I adore the happiness and the tenderness that's so evident between them.
Gestalt Theory (G) by anon curia_regis
The centaurs have decided that Luna will be good for Snape. He disagrees.
I love this pairing for some of the same reasons I love Oscar Wilde's story about the Canterville ghost; if you read this fic, I think you'll understand what I mean. Very funny and touching.
The Great Pixie Dust-Up (PG-13) by anon mundungus42
Severus Snape, whose magical equivalent of e=mc2 has revolutionized spellcasting, is content to ignore the larger ramifications of his work, until circumstances conspire to bring it to his attention.
If the summary alone isn't enough to make you want to read this, I'll add that it's the most clever story I've read in a long time, from the plot (which features the most inspired choice of villain ever) to the delightful details, such as the spawning-in-the-Vatican-City Pyxie. (Not sure I get the thing about the Picksies, though... *makes mental note to ask after reveals*)
In fact, if I didn't know that duniazade isn't participating this time around, I'd be certain this fic was hers. Are you convinced now?
From lgbtfest:
Stupendous Man and Pretty Cool Dude (for an old guy) Join Forces (Calvin & Hobbes; Uncle Max/OMC) by mjules
The Mysterious Masked Man of Mega-Might encounters another Champion of Liberty and Justice. Together they fight crime!
I've read a few C&H fics, but they've all been from Calvin's POV. It's great to see him through the eyes of an adult character, especially when it's a well-rounded, believable, sympathetic character. (Don't let it scare you off if you don't remember Uncle Max; you don't have to in order to enjoy this.)
On Paper (HP; Alastor Moody) by atdelphi
The curious authority of paper and ink.
A portrayal of Moody as a child -- that's something I haven't seen before! And it's done beautifully, too; I can see this kid growing up into the character we know from the books. I love how he never really questions his identity, even in the face of not-very-understanding adults.
Please note that I haven't read/looked at all the entries in any of the fests (which is a great shame, I know. Hopefully the creators will still appreciate receiving feedback after the reveals. I know I will). These are just some of my personal favourites; there are lots of fabulous stories and art in all of these fests.
From springtime_gen:
Toujours Pur (Walburga Black; PG-13) by anon fell_beast2
Snippets from the life of Walburga Black.
My gift! Its portrayal of Mrs Black as a stern matriarch is true to what we know about her from the books, yet the writer doesn't fall into the trap of making her a madwoman. I was especially moved and intrigued by her relationship with Regulus, and the painful dramatic irony of passages such as this one:
Walburga turned a stern gaze his way. “Regulus, Blacks cannot be cowards.”
He glared at her. “I’m not a coward!”
“How is anyone to know that if your own leader frightens you? No son of mine should be afraid of anything!”
Living Art (Dean, Seamus, Ted, Luna; PG-13) by anon magentabear
Dean's art is not a casualty of war.
The writing here is sparse, simple and beautiful, and the characterisations are perfectly vivid. I loved the writer's portrayal of Dean as an artist.
The Camel's Back (Amelia Bones; PG-13) by anon tetleythesecond
A prison breakout brings back memories.
This story has been recced a lot already, but I just couldn't overlook it. I love stories about competent and sympathetic, yet flawed female characters, and this is a wonderful example of the kind. It also features a delightfully horrible Umbridge, which can't be anything but good as far as I'm concerned.
From hp_beholder:
As Time Goes By (Rufus Scrimgeour / Augusta Longbottom; PG) by anon cardigrl
In the midst of war, unlikely alliances may form. Sometimes, they become more.
This was written for me, which is almost too good to be true as I wondered before the fest started if anyone had ever written this pairing. My mystery author did a lovely job of it, exploring power dynamics and class issues in the Wizarding World while telling a sweet, romantic story about two wary adults who learn to trust each other. (And as far as the ending is concerned, it's not AU in my book. So there.)
Fists of Ink (Millicent Bulstrode/Blaise Zabini, Rita Skeeter, Minerva McGonagall/Aurora Sinistra; R) by anon pale_moonlite
"Girls like you simply need to work a little harder, develop other strengths to be able to compete." (Rita Skeeter to Millicent Bulstrode)
I've been incapable of getting this story out of my head since I first read it. It deals wonderfully with Millicent's insecurities and ambitions, shows us a sweet romance between her and Blaise (as well as between McGonagall and Sinistra), and has some very clever use of magic. Skeeter's lines are a joy to read.
From snuna_exchange (all of these are Snape/Luna, obviously):
Captured by Moonlight (art; NWS) by anon chazpure
The spell she'd used to save him bound them closer than she'd anticipated, but they discovered that after years in servitude to cruel and capricious Masters, Severus accepted the mark and collar of a loving Mistress with astonished joy.
This was just posted, and it's for meeeeeee. It has affectionate!BDSM, realistic tits (hurrah!), and lovely colours. I adore the happiness and the tenderness that's so evident between them.
Gestalt Theory (G) by anon curia_regis
The centaurs have decided that Luna will be good for Snape. He disagrees.
I love this pairing for some of the same reasons I love Oscar Wilde's story about the Canterville ghost; if you read this fic, I think you'll understand what I mean. Very funny and touching.
The Great Pixie Dust-Up (PG-13) by anon mundungus42
Severus Snape, whose magical equivalent of e=mc2 has revolutionized spellcasting, is content to ignore the larger ramifications of his work, until circumstances conspire to bring it to his attention.
If the summary alone isn't enough to make you want to read this, I'll add that it's the most clever story I've read in a long time, from the plot (which features the most inspired choice of villain ever) to the delightful details, such as the spawning-in-the-Vatican-City Pyxie. (Not sure I get the thing about the Picksies, though... *makes mental note to ask after reveals*)
In fact, if I didn't know that duniazade isn't participating this time around, I'd be certain this fic was hers. Are you convinced now?
From lgbtfest:
Stupendous Man and Pretty Cool Dude (for an old guy) Join Forces (Calvin & Hobbes; Uncle Max/OMC) by mjules
The Mysterious Masked Man of Mega-Might encounters another Champion of Liberty and Justice. Together they fight crime!
I've read a few C&H fics, but they've all been from Calvin's POV. It's great to see him through the eyes of an adult character, especially when it's a well-rounded, believable, sympathetic character. (Don't let it scare you off if you don't remember Uncle Max; you don't have to in order to enjoy this.)
On Paper (HP; Alastor Moody) by atdelphi
The curious authority of paper and ink.
A portrayal of Moody as a child -- that's something I haven't seen before! And it's done beautifully, too; I can see this kid growing up into the character we know from the books. I love how he never really questions his identity, even in the face of not-very-understanding adults.