Persistence of Memory

A mixed batch (in more ways than one) this time. I've added recs to Harry/Severus (3), Gen/Other (2), Harry/Lucius (1), and Harry/Remus (1).

As far as WIP goes:

Visions of an Empath by ame3565.
Pairing: Harry/Lucius (hints of Harry/Severus)
Summary: Still reeling from Dumbledore’s death and the knowledge of the only way to defeat Voldemort, Harry’s life becomes even more complicated. As his inheritance approaches, his powers grow in surprising ways.

Rec: Apparently there's a poll up on whether or not Severus should make up the third of a trio. Dunno what'll happen there. Anyway, this is (of course) way fast on how quickly things come together, but that's okay for the most part. Lots of things are suspiciously convenient, actually, but I'm still okay with that.

This follows through HBP, so Dumbledore is dead, Severus killed him, there are horcruxes, etc. But an interesting new potion brings about a change in Lucius (and later on, Severus), and even Kreacher gets some fun time. We'll see how it goes, I guess.

Tags: recs:wip

So I'm reading, which is shocking. And I've seen this countless times (countless only because I can't remember the details, of course), but I'm only now getting a bit miffed by the situation.

Ron and Hermione are heroes, you see. And for what? Why, naturally, because they used to be the best friends of the Boy Who Betrayed. And I said to myself today, "Self, why is this seen as having anything resembling logic?" And myself was mystified. Granted, we tend to usually shrug this sort of thing off, but I've seen it too often now.

They're heroes because they stayed 'pure'? They... stood up to the evil that is Harry? The usual sort of slant is that Harry ends up in Azkaban and these two immediately solicit interviews so they can do a tell all on Teh Evul and how horrifyingly scary it all way, and how they tried, oh how they tried, to make him see reason....

You know, to me that sounds like stupidity. Or, as one paraphrased saying goes, "Optimism is repeating the same actions over and over again hoping for a different result." And I am not much of an optimist.

But they were selfless! They had his best interests at heart! They tried to sway his path to the light (or keep it there). Any self respecting Slytherin or Ravenclaw should be scoffing at the stupidity, and any Hufflepuff ought to be shocked at the sheer lack of loyalty. And of course, the Gryffindors eat this right up.

(And for the love of bonsai kittens, people, could you please get a clue and stop using Parseltongue and parselmouth interchangeably?)

Personally, if the wizarding public had any sense (*snorts*) they'd have imprisoned Ron and Hermione, as well. I mean, if they were that close....

But no, they've been concerned, casting those strange looks at Harry, and people notice, and the rumors start....

I dunno. I just think the idea of those two somehow being cast in the role of heroes under these circumstances is essentially saying (as if the general reaction of the public to the usual slander in the Daily Prophet didn't make this clear by now) that wizards are sheep and are all better off dead anyway.

That's the crux, in a way, and I suppose it's not much different from reality. If leaders don't do things that crush a man's pocket, what do they care? There's a saying about this... connected to WWII, I believe.

The Gemini Ruse by makoyi.
Summary: When the Order’s spy is discovered, Dumbledore places him ‘safely’ with a personal enemy. Now both have gone missing and Dumbledore hasn’t the faintest idea where, why, or how.

Rec: To begin, this starts off during the summer between Harry's fifth and sixth years. This is interesting, and I'm going to call it gen for now, especially under the circumstances (I can hope, though, that it either stays gen or slides into slashy Snarry goodness). Interesting is the best word I can come up with, and it's a good interesting, of course. I sort of like how Severus isn't immediately converted, and I can't say that I know he ever exactly will be (though again, I can hope). I love the idea that these two are pulling this off.

However, I must wonder if I either missed something, or if there is still something protecting them from being located (as of chapter 15, and I have that to read plus three more chapters) now that they're no longer, um, hiding... exactly. I may find out shortly, I may not. I would expect to, though. Perhaps it's related to the same spell that netted them... you know. It'd make sense.

Dumbledore seems to be a lot more human in this, but I remain suspicious. I can't help it. I mean, I started seriously disliking the man ever since the fifth book, and those following really didn't help. But I guess we'll see how that aspect goes, huh?

Tags: recs:wip