Springfic: "My Father Before Me" for midnitemaraud_r

[springmod]

Title: My Father Before Me
Author: jtav
Recipient: midnitemaraud_r
Character(s): Teddy Lupin, Cedric Diggory
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 8,900 words
Warnings (highlight to view): AU
Summary: Teddy and Cedric make a vow to reform the Centaur Liaison Office, but the price may be more than they can bear.
Betas: Bookofsecrets and Mhazie

Comments

[magentabear]

I'm not generally a fan of AUs (and to be totally honest I almost didn't read this one) but something about this intrigued me so I gave it a shot and I'm so glad I did. The map was fantastic and I loved your portrayal of Hermione and Teddy. I really enjoyed reading this.

[jtav]

Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed it, even though AU wasn't your usual thing.

[djin7]

Oh so bittersweet, with Cedric alive and Teddy pining for his mum and dad, and trying to get emotion from a map. *woe*

But I really enjoyed the premise, and it is a telling story of indigenous land rights and the steps needed, particularly that first one - always a doozy.
Excellent! I also really liked Teddy, who was well adjusted despite it all, and knew that he had love and family regardless of his losses. ♥

[jtav]

Thank you.

[lazy_neutrino]

I didn't fight for the status quo. I fought for a better world.

What an incredibly powerful line. So much characterisation in there - I'd never really realised what a loss Cedric was, but he was such a decent guy. I always thought that Sirius' death in OotP was the first of Harry's father figures/mentors to go, but the process started with Cedric didn't it? I love stories thta make me see canon with a fresh eye. Thanks!

His dad was inside, and he could talk. A lump formed in his throat.

Yeah. Mine too.

[jtav]

Thanks. Cedric is one of the few characters I can use as a principled idealists, so he was a natural fit here. I think he could have been a mentor to Harry had he lived.

My Father Before Me

[catsintheattic]

I really liked the little details of humour in your fic, like the one about the Centaurs eating the Ministry owls made me laught so hard - the irony of the situation! Another bit were the symptoms of Lilly's sickness. Lol.

The Marauders' Map was brilliant in all its humour and limitations. It made Teddy's search for his father so realistic that he couldn't find the answers he was most looking for in the map. I'm glad that he found them in his heart.

And I really liked the culture you created for the centaurs. It went so well with how we get to see them in the books.

Re: My Father Before Me

[jtav]

Thank you!

[slashpine]

I totally love this. There's only one flaw: too short! The characters, the intersecting plots, and your proposed reason the centaurs dislike wizards, are all wonderfully written and interesting to read.

I guess I missed the A/N on 'Cedric lives' but that was a minor sort of "shake head, re-orient, go on." Your Cedric is awesome. I agree that even for *Muggle humans* one's 30's are NOT "middle aged"! For wizards, with longer lifespans, 38 is most definitely young or at most, approaching middle age.

Anyway, having never been a Cedric fan, I now want to go off and read lots more about him - as an adult! This story is probably impossible to match, however. ;-)

[conuly]

I agree - too short by far!

[jtav]

Ha! I keep hearing that.

[jtav]

I'm glad I got you started on a Cedric kick. Minisinoo has written loads of Cedric fiction, which you can find here: http://www.themedicinewheel.net/harrypotter.html There's also a list of recs you might enjoy.