fic for googlebrat: Duty (Regulus, Walburga, PG)

[genficsanta]

Title: Duty
Author: miss_morland
Recipient: googlebrat
Rating: PG
Character(s): Regulus, Mrs Black
Warnings: None
Author's Notes: I hope you'll like this! Many thanks to my lovely beta reader for her help.

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Comments

[therealsnape]

Such an exceedingly well-written story. You've managed something I haven't seen before: keeping Walburga Black perfectly IC, yet giving her some humanity and dignity.
The inexplicable fits of anger, but here still -sometimes- controlled. The pride in her family name, the desperate hurt at Sirius's betrayal.

earlier, detailed accounts have been found boring, vulgar What would she have thought of Voldemort? Really thought, deep down inside? The pride is all for the family, for the Dark Arts - but did she really think Voldemort the best representative for that?
Your story raises all sorts of new questions on Mrs. Black.

If we do not hold ourselves up in these turbulent times, to whom will the others look for guidance?" This could so easily have come from someone on the side of the angels. Shows how narrow the line can be.

"Is there any suitable girl you have your eyes on, Regulus? I should be happy to speak with her parents on your behalf." I love this mixture between stern, cold duty, and genuine concern for her son: his

[vegablack62]

If we do not hold ourselves up in these turbulent times, to whom will the others look for guidance?" This could so easily have come from someone on the side of the angels. Shows how narrow the line can be

[therealsnape]

But they are the same cards in opposite suites certainly.

What an interesting idea. Now that you've mentioned it, I can quite see this. They are indeed, each in their own way, upholders of pride, values, traditions.
And I agree on Augusta's cold anger - but then, hers is a clean sorrow. It's atrocious, but she needn't feel ashamed. Seeing this version of Mrs. Black, I can see how she would crack under the loss of another son, in another shameful way.
And I think, too, that she would find that man very vulgar - useful, of course, does good things, but showy.

[vegablack62]

"...hers is a clean sorrow. It's atrocious, but she needn't feel ashamed

[miss_morland]

I think Regelus's death probably killed her.

I don't have my copy of DH with me at the moment, but if I remember correctly she 'went mad with grief' after Regulus's disappearance, according to Kreacher. It's quite understandable, seeing as she lost both a child and the family's only heir...

[miss_morland]

But they are the same cards in opposite suites certainly.

I love love love this idea, and now I want to write a story featuring both of them. (Perhaps for the next round of femgenficathon!)

[vegablack62]

I would love to read that!

[miss_morland]

Thank you for this wonderful review! (And for the fascinating discussion that followed, of course.) I'm glad you liked it!

The pride is all for the family, for the Dark Arts - but did she really think Voldemort the best representative for that?

Probably not -- I agree with both you and vegablack62 here.