Title: Artemisia Absinthium
Author: Shiradine
Category: Gen (pre-slash? Only if you insist.)
Rating: M (whatever you make of it)
Summary:Snape has survived the war, surmounting aversity with customary aplomb. Lupin attempts to play den mother to the rest of the survivors and Snape is rather annoyed. Wit and vituperation ensue with a bit of SSHP slash on the side.

It is astounding how little recognition some truly well written fics sometimes get. "Artemisia Absinthium", also known as "Severus Snape’s Herbs -n- Things" ;), is a nicely thought out and plausible take on Harry's, Lupin's and Snape's lives after the war. Amazing in its attention to details (without being boring at that), witty and humorous, it surprises me with the accuracy of characterization and the general calmness of its tone. Calmness the more unexpected when you consider how often the peaceful (or apparently peaceful) lives are disturbed by interesting confrontations.
My quote of the day:
“You have to stir the potion every day between now and next Saturday? I bloody well hope not—the full moon is on Wednesday.”
A Good Fic. As simple as that.

Morrighan

What can I add to this review? Morrighan has said everything already. I loved that fic. It is a strange little thing, beautiful and a bit sad. If someone asked me what this story is about, I would have serious problems to recount it. It's about a dinner invitation, potions and research, though there is so much more behind it, and some of what is going on will always stay a mystery for us. Some days in the life of Harry, Remus and Snape years after the war, told in wonderful, poetic words.

Maryx

Title: On Sense and Sensibility
Author: Darth Stitch
Category: pre-Snarry
Rating: G+ (whatever that means - very tame though)
Summary: Harry comes out to his friends. Set in the As You Wish universe and told from the point of view of Hermione Granger. A Snarry pre-slash story.

Forget the universe surrounding this story, you can very well enjoy that one as a nice little entertaining stand-alone fic. No, I am wrong: Do not forget about the 'As you wish' universe, it is very enjoyable, especially if you are a 'Princess Bride' fan, but it is not essential for understanding our little fic here.
The basics: A coming-out story (there are by far not enough of them IMO). While watching 'Sense and Sensibility' Harry tells his friends the truth. Not everyone reacts as anticipated.
Some funny dialog, some Ron-teasing and quite a bit of Rickman adoration.

Maryx

This immensely long, complicated and detailed review is dedicated to Morrighan, who will now enjoy her new DVD even more ;-)

Why, thank you! I am already enjoying my new DVD immensely, now I’m going to enjoy it far too much!
I really liked this little fic. Apart from being rather fond of those stories where wizards try to grasp the workings of particular Muggle devices, I greatly appreciate a piece of lighter reading from time to time, when I can sit back, relax and be sure that nothing dark and angsty will jump at me from around the corner. Fics of this kind are like pills for broodiness.
Morrighan

Title: Home
Author: Bluethought
Category: Gen, a bit Pre-Slashy
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The War has ended. Harry is alone and in pain. Funnily enough, so is Snape. Their hatred is strong. Some things can be stronger. HBP spoilers. Preslash? I'm not sure. You decide.

The emotions in this story are amazingly intense.  After the war ends, Harry becomes a hermit of sorts, cutting himself off from the world.  ( HBP Spoilers ) This story is told by Harry in the first person POV.  He's so conflicted.  He needs Snape even while he hates him and it tears him apart a bit.  The language is wonderful and I love the title of the story and how it fits with the text.  Excellent post-HBP story, just they way post-HBP stories should be.
-Nessi

I was so afraid of reading this fic. I often find it difficult to lose myself in a first person point of view and I had serious doubts about the sheer heaviness of the story at the beginning. As it turned out, all my fears were completely unfounded. What I received from the author was an original idea, wonderful language, lost joy, forgotten happiness, life full of despair, hatred and love so closely interwoven, and the bittersweet relationship between enemies/allies. An incredible read. Yet another proof that HBP was just a beginning.
Morrighan

Title: Anywhere But Here
Author: Sam Vimes (copperbadge)
Category: Gen
Rating: G
Summary: Severus Snape runs into an old student in an unlikely place, and tells some uncomfortable truths to the Boy Who Ran Away.

Pure Gen. Isn't it refreshing? :)
Five years after the war, two men, seaside and a conversation. Sam Vimes gives us the chance to glance at a believable post-war reality, two fighters once full of hatred, and the way they perceive each other in this new world. A piece wonderful in its simplicity.
Morrighan

This story very subtly breaks your heart.  The snarking back and forth at the beginning is wonderful and I love the gradual shift in the tone.  This could almost be considered pre-slash and as it's from Sam Vimes, I rather like to think that it is.  Very nice one-shot.
-Nessi

guest-starring: ac1d6urn

“He'd spent the summer in some seaside town, working as an errand boy for a hotel that catered strictly to the magical crowd.”
This story was written before Book Six, but I am amazed at how well the description fits the post-HBP Severus, knowing what we know now about Severus’ half-blood background after Book 6. Southend-On-Sea automatically makes me think of another seaside town, Weston-Super-Mare, a possible location of Spinner’s End.
This is a simple tale of two people meeting by accident and having a conversation. Nothing more, nothing less. What makes the story interesting is the fact that these two individuals are the ones to walk away with most nightmares, shocking memories they’d rather forget, and painful experiences to put behind them before they can move on after the defeat of the Dark Lord. It’s only appropriate that one day after years of trying to get their own lives back on track these two people meet and have a talk about the past and maybe even help each other adjust to the world without Voldemort.
Copperbadge gives us a very realistic glimpse of Severus, still a teacher, and Harry, a man with a lesson to learn after all these years.

Title: Learning To Spell
Author: Nattish
Category: Guardian
Rating: PG
Summary: Harry is very young and has been sent to live with Snape. He finds it easier to make friends with the forest creatures than the mean old man.

This is a sweet little AU story that I fell in love with from the first few sentences.  It's told from the point of view of Harry as a rather young child (about 5 or 6) and there are these lovely little moments and sentences that show that, such as measuring distance in the amount of hops away something is or Harry's habit of naming the plants in Snape's garden with his own unique little names when he doesn't know the proper one.  Harry's innocent, yet intelligent observations are a delight to read and his reactions to Snape are wonderful and well characterized.  While there is a moment in which I think Snape aquiesces a little too quickly, it is otherwise an excellent story and the ending is wonderful.

Nessi


I liked this little story as well. Nattish has a wonderful way of portraying a yound child. I think I never read a story where I could see so much of how a child's mind works. A refreshing change!

Maryx

Title: Legilimens
Author: Jocelyn
Rating: PG
Category: Severitus/Guardian
Summary: The darkest hour of the night comes right before the dawn of a new day. Snape and Harry are trapped alone together in the aftermath of Voldemort's destruction.

Every now and then I need a little tear-jerker, a story taking place under Voldemort's feet, when all hope seems to be lost and life is coming to an end. And while this topic is not uncommon in fics, it was 'Legilimens' which satisfied any need for tears I might have.
Jocelyn offers a slightly different point of view on the typical 'capture' scene. There are no great battles, fierce defiance or heroic deeds. There is only a lost boy, straved for love, and an ally (hardly a friend) trying to keep him alive.
What makes this piece special to me is the author's gentle but effective reminder of Harry's youth and inexperience. Just in case we followed the wizarding fashion and acclaimed him a hero.
Morrighan

PS: I'm sure there will come a time for ‘The Battle of Wills’ :). Patience, patience...

Title: Stuck on Parseltongue
Author: Molly Morrison
Rating: PG?
Category: Gen
Summary: Harry is acting strangely, and Snape may just live to regret prying the secret out of him. ONE-SHOT, NO SLASH.

Now, hands up who doesn't like fics with Parseltongue! I don't think I see any...
So here is a great, lighter piece for all of you guys, you poor, overstressed, underpaid fellows ;). Stop dabbling in dark themes for once and have a break. Molly here gives you a fine, nicely written fic with perfect characterization. And lotsss of Parseltongue! What are you still waiting for?
Morrighan

Now that we broke the 25 post barrier and our first forth-nightly jubilee approaches, I thought is sensible to compile a list of all the fics we already rec'ced:

A Taste of Liberty by Lamardeuse. review

Afterthought & Forethought by Ellipsical. review

All Things Considered by Claggart. review

Blood Magic by GatewayGirl. review

Conduits of Sorcery by Penumbra. review

Dark and Stormy Night by Willidan. review

Dumbledore's Folly by DementorDelta. review

Flight by Sushi. review

Fly-Fishing for Beginners by Jay Tryfanstone. review

In Between Days by Atrata. review

Nocturne by Tira Nog. review

Pariah by Aucta Sinistra. review

Patesco by Kelex. review

Pride and Prejudice by Cat Samwise. review

Severus and the Crup by Josan. review

Something to live for by Accio Snape. review

Somewhere I Belong I & Somewhere I Belong II by Shadowarwen. review

Sunrises (and sequel: Happily Ever After) by Juliatheyounger. review

Testing the Waters by Captain Jaimes. review

The Boy Who Lived A Bit by Barbarella. review

The Care of Infants by Stellahobbit. review

The Cupboard by enahma. review

The Eulogy by Viridis. review

The Master Plan by StarryGazer. review

*looks at the list unbelievingly* Wow, we are amazing!
*pats shoulder(s)* ;)

Title: The Eulogy
Author name: Viridis
Category: Gen
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Harry Potters speaks a eulogy for Severus Snape. No need to be afraid of sentimentalism. Late post-Hogwarts story.

Did I ever mention that I love sarcasm?

Many years have passed since Harry Potter defeated the Dark Lord and during these years Severus Snape managed to become and to stay Headmaster of Hogwarts. We are now standing at Snape's grave, listening to Harry Potter's eulogy.

This fic tells Snape's live from Harry's point of view, Harry who in all these years has not overcome his animosity. So - as Viridis already said in the summary - don't be afraid of false sentimentalism:
"He was nasty, mean and arrogant. He never forgot and he never forgave. His teaching style was based on terrorising, bullying and intimidating. He bullied his students. He bullied his colleagues. He bullied the Ministry. See the new greenhouses? Installed last year, when Snape bullied several rich families into donations. No, the school is not in their debt. Actually according to one of them 'we are indebted to the school, because we were able to free ourselves from his pestering so cheaply'".

The way Snape bullies his way through the world - no for his own good, mind, but for the good of a wizarding community that does not know what is good for them - makes one shudder, shudder in fear and shudder in admiration.
He used all his social skills - I see blank stares from those who do not believe in their existence, and shudders from those who were subjected to them - to attain this goal.

The Eulogy is a wonderful fic, a wonderful plot, great language, a spot-on (Canon!) characterisation of Snape.
It shows a Snape we all know, the cold, bitter bastard, but also a man who is willing to risk everything, to do everything for what he thinks is right, not easy.
The Eulogy shows Severus Snape at his nastiest - and best!

I now let the Master himself speak the final works:
Since it is widely rumoured that I am either related to or partial or full vampire, in order to put all those small minds, who might be entertaining fears of my visiting them late at night, at ease, I hereby request that my body is burned. [...]

Sincerely Yours,

Severus Snape, Headmaster of Hogwarts."

Maryx

A spot-on Snape, and a spot-on review, Maryx. 'The Eulogy' is one of my favourite one-shots ever. Would you believe that I come back and re-read it every month? It's probably because after all these romance fics, or those that end with 'happily ever after', I need one Fic-Reference to remind myself what exactly the canon Snape would be like. And 'Eulogy' puts my mind at ease.

Morrighan

 

There isn't much to be said about The Eulogy that hasn't already been said by Maryx and Morrighan, but I just had to add a thought or two.  The Eulogy is hilarious.  I'd almost go as far to say as our dearly departed Severus may have approved of it... almost.  The descriptions of Snape's contributions to the wizarding world were excellent and the ending was superb.

Nessime

guest-starring: ac1d6urn

Yes. Eulogy has a very apt description of the bitter old bastard we all know and love. So accurate in its characterisation, the story might as well be canon. Even Book 6 cannot change my mind about that.
He wasn't right, he wasn't civil, he wasn't even remotely likeable, but he did what he had to do to make things happen. And in the end, that’s all that matters.

Title: Testing the Waters
Author: Captain James
Rating: R
Category: Snarry
Summary: Snape decides to test seventh years, making them identify potions. Harry’s test, though, goes different from everyone else’s.
"Something was definitely wrong. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but something was not right, he could feel it."

I used to shy away from UST fics (Unresolved Sexual Tension), as I often found them lacking something crucial, leaving an impression that the work is somehow unfinished. And then… Well, then I’ve read Testing the Waters, a little treasure which made my lungs hurt from holding my breath without even realizing it. This one-shot has it all: excellent language, surprising touch of humour, and sheer intensity. Its every sentence hits you like a thunder (“On the table”!) and what you basically want to tell the author once you finish reading is: “James, you are a horrible, teasing, evil, evil thing!”  
Morrighan

I didn't enjoy Testing the Waters as much as Morrighan did.  That is not to say that it isn't good.  It is.  It's extremely well-written, the characterizations are spot-on and the tension throughout can almost be touched, it's so thick.  I know the point of UST is that it's unresolved tension, but this ended a bit too unresolved for my personal tastes.  I like a fic that ends with at least one aspect of the story being at least partially resolved, either the emotional part or the sexual part.  I suppose I left the fic feeling much like Harry when he thinks, "What? He was dismissing him, just like that? . . . He had been expecting... something else, something more."   If my suspicion is true and that's how Captain James meant for us to feel at Testing the Waters' end, then the author's purpose was fulfilled and then some.  Excellent writing, just not my usual fare.

Nessime

I'm usually not too fond of one-shots. You just start getting a feeling for the story and then it is already over. Pretty annoying. But I am glad that I read 'Testing the Waters' - already this double entendre made it worth it ;)
The language is beautiful, the plot is sound and there's just to little amount of humour to keep it from becoming creepy.
I admire the way James makes the tension so strong, so powerful, you can almost touch it. Also the way he shows both Harry and Snape in the end, all their feelings - anger, arousal, denial? -  but mainly confusion, made me fall in love with this story.
Maryx

Title: The Cupboard
Author: Enahma
Rating: PG
Category: Gen
Summary: Harry, Snape, detention and a revelation.

One of the best post OotP one-shots I have ever read, a wonderful mixture of past and present, of bitter acts of the "saint Marauders" and newly found compassion. I find Harry’s feelings very plausible here and the subtle progression in the relationship between him and Snape particularly well depicted. Also, the non-slash type of said relationship is a huge plus in this case.
Morrighan

Enahma's "The Cupboard" is most definitely an excellent post-OotP one-shot.  Harry is extremely in character at the beginning, even being a bit disrespectful to Professor McGonagal.  I love how he throws himself into his detention and his breakdown upon the discovery of something that he was not expecting to find.  I especially love the whys of his breakdown as it's not quite for the reasons expected, though long needed for other reasons.  I'm not making terribly much sense here, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.  I really like Snape's concern for Harry, despite all the dislike and tension between them.  Excellent, excellent story.

Cheers!  Nessime