Night-blooming Heartsease by Julad (R)

[raveninthewind.livejournal.com]

Fandom: HARRY POTTER
Pairing: Severus Snape/Neville Longbottom in the end, but it's a gen sort of slash
Author on LJ: julad
Author Website: Ambivalent Pleasures

Why this must be read:
I don't know if there are many people who haven't read Night-blooming Heartsease yet, but if you've been avoiding it because of the pairing or because of the slash, you're missing out on a wonderful reading experience. This story illustrates the power of hope to bring people through the most trying times, and it touched me. It's not a happy story (as you will know if you've read Transfigurations), but the story feels true emotionally. It isn't really a romance, and the sex isn't the focus, so I'd recommend this to nonslashers.

A sort of prequel to Transfigurations by resonant8, this is a dramatic "coming of age in a time of war" story that begins with Snape and Neville hiding from the Death Eaters, whose side is winning. Trust grows between the two comrades-in-arms, and there's the possibility of a relationship, if only they make it through the war. In a difficult pairing, Snape doesn't seem out of character from Nevile's POV. The focus is on Neville's character growth and his trial by fire, and Julad made me care about a character who's never been a favorite of mine in fanfic.

Night-blooming Heartsease

Be sure to check out the lovely illustration by Theban Band for Night-blooming Heartsease.