Mind Games by Arsenic (NC-17)

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Harry Potter/Severus Snape
Author on LJ: arsenicjade
Author Website: Every Rose Has a Thorn

Why this must be read:
This story is a believable Snarry story in that you see why Snape goes from detesting every fiber of Harry's being to shagging him rotten. Those who have trouble with the pairing might find this scenario more credible, and those who like a nice, slow buildup will also enjoy this futurefic. I liked the progression from teacher-student to mutually interested adults, and I also liked the maturation Harry showed; this author did a realistic job of it without tremendous angst and handwringing over the "Boy Who Lived is Gay!" issue.


From an earlier post in my LJ about this story:

This is a charming, detailed Snape POV Snarry romance, and I love the Snape voice/characterization in it. It's different from the usual fanon Snape, and there's a quality that few authors really capture and express well enough for me: Snape's essential core of strength, independence, and self-reliance, which make him able to endure the contempt or the outright hatred of most of the wizarding world. I like that Snape is obviously damaged by his past but isn't neurotic or broken--he has recovered the best that he can. (Healing does happen, you know. I know from personal experience.) Arsenic's Snape is also never fluffy and nice--he's a cantankerous, sometimes petty, war-weary survivor who just wants the defeat of Voldemort. Also, the leisurely but not too slow pacing of the story allowed the reader to believe in a foundation for a relationship between two adversaries, rather than assuming from the start that OMG! They are so MFEO!1!

Mind Games

Comments

[arsenicjade.livejournal.com]

So, I'm scrolling down my friend's list and I see my name and I'm like, "oh, hey, that's me." Then I'm all, "oh. oh! that's me on crack_van!!" and then there may have been happy dancage, but I'll deny it if anyone asks.

Thank you so much! *runs away to grin in quiet for a bit*

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

And thank you for sharing your story. :D