Fic rec- Neville/Percy, Harry/Severus (of a sort), "Faint Indirections"

[thrihyrne]

If one is going to write about Neville, writing references to plant imagery is nearly a given. That said, with DH we're given, at long last, a more complete manifestation of Neville's spine of iron, hinted at from Philosopher's/Sorcer's Stone onwards. In Faint Indirections, girl_tarte deftly weaves a story of post-War Hogwarts, several years down the line, in which Neville is Master of Herbology, Harry is on rocky ground with Ginny (yes, this gorgeously-written story is DH-compliant, including elements of the Epilogue), Snape is hanging on the wall in the office of the new Hogwarts Headmaster's office — much to his very loud chagrin and loathing of his portrait frame— and Neville finds solace in his plants, but also the new Headmaster. Who is a Weasley, but not Ron.

I can commend this story on so many levels, but first I'd like to start with the writing. This story is well-paced, chock full of the most minute details that could easily be glossed over, but when taken with the whole of the story, make it read like the savoury equivalent of a full-bodied Cabernet-Shiraz. Her take on different magical elements are ingenious and fit into canon like a well-fitting glove. The Wishknot shrubs are inspired. The relentless, but not-too-bruising reference to camellias and the Longbottom family brought tears to my eyes. Not to give too much away, she also plays with the idea of personalities in portraits and how those limitations can be expanded in a creative way, dealing with how those who live on in portrait form can still experience the world they see, and yet, are still very much inhibited. Or are they?

One of the reasons why I'm recc'ing this, beyond the fabulous, understated writing, is the prismatic depth to the characterizations, especially of Neville, Snape, and Percy. This is engaging writing, the kind of fanfiction which takes the original canon and expounds on it with a subtletly and talent which is phenomenal. Her imagery is absolutely gorgeous, and the nods to magical flora right and left only enhance the story, making the reader (or me, in this case) feel absolutely at home in Neville's skin, even when he's itching to get out of it and be more comfortable.

Read this, revel in it, and if you enjoyed it as I did, please let girl_tarte know. I found this via schemingreader, who has yet to steer me wrong in regards to her own recs.

Comments

[rinsbane.livejournal.com]

This is about the eighth read I've seen for this fic on my flist, and I'm not even watching 2/3 of my flist. I saved the link to it after the first rec because it sounded so good. And ever rec I've seen since then has been equally persuasive. It's first up on my Potter list when the Potter urge strikes me.

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Well, I would bookmark it. It's worth coming back to. Oh, and I wrote you again; you were on my mind and I felt 'chatty.' ;)

[rinsbane.livejournal.com]

And a lovely letter it was. You should be receiving a reply in the mail today or tomorrow - send it Sat. *g*

[verdenia.livejournal.com]

Dude, love. I think I saw painless j's rec of it. Just read it today. Awesome. ♥

[thrihyrne.livejournal.com]

Love, indeed. The wishknot shrubs are so going into a future fic, and crediting her. I just can't seem to come up with things like that, only necessary new spells/curses and/or items in Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, lolol!!