February Recs Challenge, Day 21
Wow, only a week left of recs after this! I've really had a good time with this challenge. I sort of feel like I'm getting into the rhythm of it -- writing each rec is getting a bit easier, and I find myself pondering what fic I'm going to choose each night as I drive home from work.
So how gorgeous was it out today? It had to have been 50 degrees here -- downright balmy! The snow was melting, the river was thawing, and suddenly I was having lovely spring-like thoughts. So of course I had to come home and try to dig up the perfect spring poem to post. I found several, none of which were quite what I was looking for (I do seem to have an abundance of summer poems, so prepare yourselves for some poetry spam come June or so). However, I decided to post this one because it does mention spring, and is one of the loveliest poems I know:
A Blessing
by James Wright
Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is as delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.
Mmmm. *pauses to savor those last few lines*
Now. On to today's rec!
A Devil Haunts Thee by klynie1
Pairing: Severus/Remus, Remus/Harry, Severus/Remus/Harry, Severus/Harry
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Somewhat dubious consent, voyeurism, rough sex
Summary: While battling the Ministry of Magic, Remus Lupin confronts his inner demons as well.
My Comments:
In the interest of full disclosure I'll point out that I beta-ed this (my first-ever HP beta! wo0t!), but rest assured that it was fabulous long before I got my hands on it. This is a long, plotty exploration of a scarily plausible post-war world, in which Scrimgeour is running the Ministry with an increasingly iron fist. Things suddenly get personal for Remus and Harry when Hermione is arrested on false charges, and it soon becomes clear that they may be the next targets. Meanwhile, Snape, who's in hiding with Remus as his secret keeper, has his own important role to play.
That gives you an idea of the rather complex plot, which zips along at the pace of a mystery novel. However, it wasn't the plot that kept me reading -- it was the interactions among the three central characters. The story is told from Remus's POV, and through his eyes you can see the conflicted feelings he has toward both Harry and Severus -- and, more importantly, the conflicts he has to work out within himself.
Carve yourself an hour or so to sink into this one -- it's about 25,000 words, and well worth the time.
Excerpt:
Remus paused, then stood and crossed to Severus. He put an arm around his shoulders. Tension thrummed beneath his loose embrace, but gradually, as Remus stayed silent, Severus relaxed. They stood quietly like that for several minutes.
He was amazed that Severus accepted a touch that wasn’t sexual. It reinforced his guilt.
Finally, Severus straightened. Remus let his arm slip from Severus’ shoulders to his waist. "Are you all right now?"
Severus nodded.
"I'm sorry for implying that you’re responsible for Hermione’s situation. For pushing you."
"I'm sure you are."
"Will you forgive me?"
"No.” Severus’ dark eyes burned. “Just shut up and fuck me."
So how gorgeous was it out today? It had to have been 50 degrees here -- downright balmy! The snow was melting, the river was thawing, and suddenly I was having lovely spring-like thoughts. So of course I had to come home and try to dig up the perfect spring poem to post. I found several, none of which were quite what I was looking for (I do seem to have an abundance of summer poems, so prepare yourselves for some poetry spam come June or so). However, I decided to post this one because it does mention spring, and is one of the loveliest poems I know:
A Blessing
by James Wright
Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me
And nuzzled my left hand.
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is as delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.
Mmmm. *pauses to savor those last few lines*
Now. On to today's rec!
A Devil Haunts Thee by klynie1
Pairing: Severus/Remus, Remus/Harry, Severus/Remus/Harry, Severus/Harry
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Somewhat dubious consent, voyeurism, rough sex
Summary: While battling the Ministry of Magic, Remus Lupin confronts his inner demons as well.
My Comments:
In the interest of full disclosure I'll point out that I beta-ed this (my first-ever HP beta! wo0t!), but rest assured that it was fabulous long before I got my hands on it. This is a long, plotty exploration of a scarily plausible post-war world, in which Scrimgeour is running the Ministry with an increasingly iron fist. Things suddenly get personal for Remus and Harry when Hermione is arrested on false charges, and it soon becomes clear that they may be the next targets. Meanwhile, Snape, who's in hiding with Remus as his secret keeper, has his own important role to play.
That gives you an idea of the rather complex plot, which zips along at the pace of a mystery novel. However, it wasn't the plot that kept me reading -- it was the interactions among the three central characters. The story is told from Remus's POV, and through his eyes you can see the conflicted feelings he has toward both Harry and Severus -- and, more importantly, the conflicts he has to work out within himself.
Carve yourself an hour or so to sink into this one -- it's about 25,000 words, and well worth the time.
Excerpt:
Remus paused, then stood and crossed to Severus. He put an arm around his shoulders. Tension thrummed beneath his loose embrace, but gradually, as Remus stayed silent, Severus relaxed. They stood quietly like that for several minutes.
He was amazed that Severus accepted a touch that wasn’t sexual. It reinforced his guilt.
Finally, Severus straightened. Remus let his arm slip from Severus’ shoulders to his waist. "Are you all right now?"
Severus nodded.
"I'm sorry for implying that you’re responsible for Hermione’s situation. For pushing you."
"I'm sure you are."
"Will you forgive me?"
"No.” Severus’ dark eyes burned. “Just shut up and fuck me."