Sorry To See It End

[teddy_radiator]

Today is the grand finale of the  deeply_horrible  fest, and I'm sad to see it go. It had a little something for everyone, and while I didn't read every entry (not being a fan of many slash pairings) the ones I did read were stunning in their humour, ferocity and complexity, depicting Severus in as many guises as can be imagined.

I will end my sycophantic gushing with the penultimate offering, "A Virtuous Man" a delicious story which takes place during the first two books of the series. Severus, who sees the worst thing about Harry Potter's presence to be cramping his style with his lover, Minerva, goes to many lengths to manipulate and connive his way around several sticky problems with such Slytherin style he seems to set a new high-water mark on How To Be A Slytherin Bastard.

It is funny, saucy, and full of cameos that made me smile so much - especially the toothsome Lockhart. Severus convinces the gormless Lockhart that he's tragically, secretly in love with him, and schemes to get him to form the Duelling club:

"If there were some pretense," said Snape. "Some student activity where perhaps I might assist. Where I might watch you teach. I would content myself with that."

"Certainly, certainly," said Lockhart. "I have just the thing. But my dear Professor Snape, you're too modest. A man mus live..."

"I can only be the man I am," said Snape with mysterious and existential sadness, failing to disclose the various other men he was capable of being when the need arose.

I think this last sentence sums up the entire fest perfectly. A great fest. At times the stories were hilarious, poignant, disturbing, horrifying, and heartbreaking, but in every case, the love of writing, and writing about this deeply horrible man in particular, shone through.

Comments

[kellychambliss.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to see this fest end! As you say, there has been something for everyone, and I'm fascinated by how many different tones -- grim, sad, horrific, comic, satiric -- people have taken and yet how well they all fit the theme of the fest.

I've enjoyed all your recs.

(Just one note -- if you flock a rec post, it can't be counted towards a "Hot Rec" at daily_snitch, since they won't accept locked recs.)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, I knew that, but apparently I'm too dense to remember to fix it! LOL I sent the rec to the mods, who very nicely reminded me of this as well. *blushes furiously*. I have great intentions; I'm just thick as a brick.

I didn't think this fest would be my cup of tea, but I am actually enjoying it as much as my own ship's SSHG_Exchange fest. I hope they do another one; I might have to dip my toe in this time. I really didn't know what to expect; I think I was imagining lots of stories in which Snape was so unlikable I couldn't stand to read about him (and that unfortunately happens in the fandom), but, as you say, the different tones were just so many and varied. It was like going to Baskin-Robbins every day and finding a new flavour.

[delphipsmith]

"I can only be the man I am," said Snape with mysterious and existential sadness, failing to disclose the various other men he was capable of being when the need arose.

*snerk*

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Just one line in a great story of great lines - this is a Snape I just adored - petulant, sulky, scheming, smug, twitchy. I can see why Minerva adored him.

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

I read quite a bit (and looked at quite a bit) of them and still conclude that Severus Snape is not deeply horrible but rather still the only HP character I can strongly identify with.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

No, I totally agree. I have read some that portrayed him that way, but to be honest, if he were that deeply_horrible, I wouldn't be writing about him.

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

I find him a source of literary and personal inspiraton.
Yes he can be uncompromising, bitter, ready to split with anger and exasperation and held back by being too much the pawn for those he respects/loves. Deeply horrible can explain a few of his surface faults but touch the inner being? NO. I'm glad you understand.
-Your snarky Kat friend.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

What ^ she said.

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

We each have a Snape of our own understanding ;)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Once again, couldn't have said it better myself.

Mine, for instance, is currently tied to a bed with silk scarves and lecherous intent, and smirks lasciviously when called a 'good boy.'

Just sayin'.
:)

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmmmm.

[rangerishot.livejournal.com]

That's sad. This is the first time I've heard of it. Do you know if the actual page will remain?