August Challenges!
As usual, there will be a grace period for the July Challenges: Snape/Luna and Loss, so submit your entries when you can! I'm wrapping up my own ficlet right now, as a matter of fact. But in the meantime...
The featured pairing for the month of August is Snape/Neville.
Some people have told me this pairing is creepy, because Neville is so little and vulnerable and, well, scared to death of Snape. How could such a pairing ever be anything but non-con chan - okay if you like that sort of thing, but otherwise, not so much? Well, all I have to say is, there's a reason Neville was sorted into Gryffindor, isn't there? That kid does too have a backbone, and he still has plenty of growing up to do, with more than enough time in there to become Snape's equal, if not magically, then certainly in strength of character. One of the best, most beautiful fics I've ever read in any fandom was Snape/Neville, and it worked because it showed Snape and Neville as two people with their own peculiar (though not identical) inner strengths. Neville's more than just a shrinking violet and Snape's more than just a bully.
That said, there's nothing wrong with their being both of those things if that's the story you're telling. This can also be a dark pairing focused on extreme power imbalance and psychological manipulation. There's room for everything here, so let this fascinating pairing take you where it leads.
The featured theme for August is memory.
Memory is a bit of an issue and a sore spot for Neville, of course, but it's also a problem for Snape, who has so many bad memories they're poisoning him. Remember when Snape condemns "those who wallow in sad memories" as being "in short, weak people"? Who else could he be talking about but himself? Is it not just his prickly personality, but his memory, that keeps Snape separated from everyone around him? And what about blocked memories? Is Neville's poor memory perhaps some kind of protection against the traumas he's suffered? What is worse - remembering, or not remembering?
In a way, the Harry Potter books are all about the power of memory. Memories can undermine (dementors sap their victims' will to live by making them relive their most painful memories) but they can also strengthen (happy memories are what give the Patronus charm its protective power). This is a rich theme for any pairing - remember you don't just have to use the featured pairing to respond to this challenge.
As always, your challenge entry can respond to the theme only, the pairing only, or both together! You can submit something as small as a single recommendation or something as large as a novel, as small as an icon or as large as a painting, as long as you have fun and bring the Snape love!
The featured pairing for the month of August is Snape/Neville.
Some people have told me this pairing is creepy, because Neville is so little and vulnerable and, well, scared to death of Snape. How could such a pairing ever be anything but non-con chan - okay if you like that sort of thing, but otherwise, not so much? Well, all I have to say is, there's a reason Neville was sorted into Gryffindor, isn't there? That kid does too have a backbone, and he still has plenty of growing up to do, with more than enough time in there to become Snape's equal, if not magically, then certainly in strength of character. One of the best, most beautiful fics I've ever read in any fandom was Snape/Neville, and it worked because it showed Snape and Neville as two people with their own peculiar (though not identical) inner strengths. Neville's more than just a shrinking violet and Snape's more than just a bully.
That said, there's nothing wrong with their being both of those things if that's the story you're telling. This can also be a dark pairing focused on extreme power imbalance and psychological manipulation. There's room for everything here, so let this fascinating pairing take you where it leads.
The featured theme for August is memory.
Memory is a bit of an issue and a sore spot for Neville, of course, but it's also a problem for Snape, who has so many bad memories they're poisoning him. Remember when Snape condemns "those who wallow in sad memories" as being "in short, weak people"? Who else could he be talking about but himself? Is it not just his prickly personality, but his memory, that keeps Snape separated from everyone around him? And what about blocked memories? Is Neville's poor memory perhaps some kind of protection against the traumas he's suffered? What is worse - remembering, or not remembering?
In a way, the Harry Potter books are all about the power of memory. Memories can undermine (dementors sap their victims' will to live by making them relive their most painful memories) but they can also strengthen (happy memories are what give the Patronus charm its protective power). This is a rich theme for any pairing - remember you don't just have to use the featured pairing to respond to this challenge.
As always, your challenge entry can respond to the theme only, the pairing only, or both together! You can submit something as small as a single recommendation or something as large as a novel, as small as an icon or as large as a painting, as long as you have fun and bring the Snape love!