Comments | sshg_promptfest: FIC: Still Life (G)

iulia_linnea in sshg_promptfest

FIC: Still Life (G)

Jul 16, 2018 07:35

Title: Still Life
Type: Fic
Prompter: Anonymous Five
Creator: mundungus42
Beta(s): zigadenus
Rating: G
(Highlight to View) Warning(s): None.
(Highlight to View) Prompt: The enchantment over the Great Hall's ceiling fails, and Headmaster Granger summons Severus Snape to Hogwarts to fix it. Why does she believe that this is a job for him?
Note: Enormous thanks to zigadenus for ( Read more... )

2018 summer fanwork, fic

Comments 28

iulia_linnea July 16 2018, 11:35:23 UTC

Phineas was fretting about Dilys, who was still missing, and it made him even pricklier than usual. Everard was keen to discuss artistic esoterica and paint theory, which Hermione hadn't the least interest in, given that a giant bum had farted her enchanted ceiling out of existence.

Sentences such as this one (in stories like yours) are why I continue to read fan fiction-and I love the portrait issues! It's fascinating to see Headmistress Granger in her element, working with others, and working out a mystery. I'll say no more so as not to spoil, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading your story! :D

mundungus42 January 3 2019, 00:24:36 UTC

That particular sentence made me giggle every time I did an editing pass, so I'm particularly happy it tickled you, too! I am so happy you enjoyed! Thank you so very much for the kind words and for running this fantastic fest!

chienne_folle July 16 2018, 17:55:03 UTC

Oh, my god, this is BRILLIANT! What an amazing job you've done here. I love the magical computer, the portrait network, Parvati's mysterious agency, the relationships among the portraits and Hermione, Hermione's relationship with Ron's child from another marriage, and SO much more! I love the way you tell us a lot of backstory with casual references, the successes Hermione's had with creature rights, and the way you've suggested that Snape had to be dead, then revealed him alive. All right, I guess I love everything about this story. :-)

I'm pretty sure I recognize your style, Mystery Author. :-) I always love your work, and this is a wonderful addition to it!

mundungus42 January 3 2019, 00:29:43 UTC

Oh squee! Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed! It was funny, I started writing this story thinking Snape was dead, and then he decided to surprise Hermione in Chicago. I would have been annoyed with having to go back and drop in subtle-ish foreshadowing if I hadn't been so excited that he decided to reveal himself. I've worked with the portrait network before in fanfic, but I had such a great time figuring out ways to bring more contemporary technology and social mores to Hogwarts and all the fun new characters and advancements that they brought with them. Stories often surprise me when I'm writing them, and this one most certainly did! Thank you so much for the kind words!

jodel_from_aol July 16 2018, 18:53:11 UTC

This is absolutely splendid.

And I really like the future that you have postulated here. Organized crime and vampire warlords notwithstanding, a wizarding future that doesn't dump us back in 1991 and say that all is well is something to be treasured.

dreamy_dragon73 July 16 2018, 20:22:10 UTC

This is brilliant! I love that the wizarding world has found a way to combine new technology and magic - and quite successfully, too.. I love that the machine is called Quandary ( and now I want Quandary to meet, erm interface with Hex from Discworld...)
I also loved the portraits here, especially Phineas, but it was also nice to see more Dilys, who so rarely appears in a story. And an alive Snape who ends up having dinner with Hermione - the contrast between him and "Sev" was a very nice touch, too.
I enjoyed this a lot! Thank you!

iulia_linnea July 16 2018, 21:11:17 UTC

. . . [A]nd now I want Quandary to meet, erm interface with Hex from Discworld...

I second this!

delphipsmith July 22 2018, 15:21:03 UTC

Oh my goodness, YES!

mundungus42 January 3 2019, 01:04:55 UTC

I AM NOT AT ALL IMAGINING WRITING MAGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER PR0N. NO SIRREE BOB.

Thread 7

debjunk July 16 2018, 22:52:02 UTC

This was a nice mix of humor, mystery, and romance. Poor Sev, a bit lost without all that would make him whole. I think your Severus is pretty much en pointe, and deliciously so.

mundungus42 January 3 2019, 00:38:18 UTC

Thank you so much! Yeah, once I realised that I wanted the portrait to have Severus's memories painted into it, the idea struck me as so sad. I'm glad Severus was there to take the piss a bit, since Sev could well have moped all over the story if I let him. I'm glad he has friends now, as well as a private retreat for when he gets peopled out. I'm delighted you enjoyed! I'm so grateful for your kind words!