Brave New World

[anne_arthur]

This is a story written (just about in time) for Snapedom's May challenge - Snape's family. It is an explanation of how Eileen Prince met Tobias Snape, and is called

Brave New World.

The front door slammed, with a force that shook the whole house. Eileen sank down onto the sofa, weeping in helpless fury. Why did Toby have to take everything the

Comments

[geri_chan]

Hi, I'm here from Snapedom, and I wanted to say that I love this fic! It has a really fresh approach that avoids the usual cliches like abusive Tobias and snobby pureblood Prince parents. (Though I've made use of them myself, I must admit!) I like that Eileen's parents actually encouraged her to meet Muggles, and even approved of the marriage, and I really loved the genuine affection that Eileen and Tobias have for each other in spite of all their problems. This was a wonderful look at Snape's family, and I think it's a great entry for the May challenge!

[anne_arthur]

I'm so glad you liked it! And I'm very glad it fits the specifications for the May challenge. I did want to get away from the cliches, and I wanted a relationship that wasn't all gloom and misery from the start, and then I thought, why would her parents advertise the wedding in the Prophet if they didn't approve? And it sort of grew from there.

[shyfoxling]

Here from Snapedom too.

The end of this made me smile :)

[anne_arthur]

I'm so glad! Thank you.

[mary_j_59]

Wonderful job, Anne! I really love the psychology here; it's very realistic that a man of Tobias's background would (eventually) greatly resent being unable to provide for his family, and would see Eileen's use of magic as a veiled criticism. And I also love the young couple's very accurate comments on the poverty of Wizarding culture. Nice job!

[anne_arthur]

Thank you! I got a lot from the comments you and others made about the wizarding world's lack of culture. Of course, the books are written for children, so naturally it's all ballet-dancing trolls and the like, but I liked the way this could say something about wizards - and give the Muggle world something positive to offer. And I'm quite surprised at how well the psychology worked - I'm very grateful to Tobias (and Eileen) for turning out so well!

[anne_arthur]

Thank you! I love your writings, so it means a lot that you like this. I know that Tobias and Eileen have to end badly, but I did passionately want them to have had something going for them, at least to begin with. I'm suprised it worked so well, though. And I agree with you - Alex Snape BA (PhD?) would have had a much happier life!

[writermerrin]

This is one of those pieces that I think will stay with me and color my views of the Wizarding world forever. Lovely.

[anne_arthur]

Wow! Thank you! I am honoured.