FIC: "Fostering Witch-Muggle Understanding" for songquake

[bethbethbeth]

Recipient: songquake
Author: slytherite
Title: Fostering Witch-Muggle Understanding
Rating: PG-13
Pairings: Hestia Jones/Petunia Dursley, background Vernon Dursley/Petunia Dursley
Word Count: 13,848
Warnings/Content Information (Highlight to View): * Adultery in a dying marriage, homophobia, a few swears, and strongly implied sex. *.
Summary: One can

Comments

[thisaestus]

This is so quietly fascinating and perfect and lovely. The tone of it was wonderful throughout--I love the tiny details that form Hestia's life: the flying carpet, the wish for a dragon, the cottage by the sea. . .

Petunia is just how I imagine she'd be. Here are some of my favorite parts:

"Don’t you dare forget me," said Petunia as Hestia folded her socks. "But don’t talk about me to your wizard friends. I don’t want to show up and find I’ve got a reputation."

"I think you’ll find you’ve already got one."

"That’s hardly my fault," said Petunia, taking a blouse from the wardrobe and rolling it up. "I can’t help being your little saint’s aunt."

I adore how contrary she is in the first part, and where most people would give their right arm to be connected to the Chosen One, she scorns it.

It had to be called a Letter, because it exemplified all the things that no one did in letters but that everyone privately thought should be done. It was written in graceful script on paper as thick and heavy as parchment, and it smelled

[lookfar]

Absolutely lovely and thoughtful and unexpected! I really appreciate that you didn't turn Petunia into a nicer or more liberal person; you've worked a better trick of having her find her way toward happiness without, somehow, disturbing her prejudices.

[venturous1]

I really loved this. The gentle quirkiness of Hestia, the soft side of Petunia, who thawed into realizing she wasnt happy. Charming, believable and a pleasure to read.

[flashfly]

You were recced by atdelphi. I enjoyed reading this and can imagine this exact future for Petunia. God knows, she deserves the seaside cottage, the garden, and a loving, caring witch. And more carpet rides by moonlight, too. Thanks for writing such a lovely story!

[woldy]

Charming story! It hadn't occurred to me to wonder what happened to the Dursleys during DH, but it's a fascinating premise and I enjoyed your exploration of how their marriage falls apart under the strain and the intimacy that develops between Petunia and Hestia. Great work :-)