1 - 20 of 56 Works by potionpen
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Summary
The courage to leave the place whose language you learned
as early as your own, whose customs however dan-
gerous or demeaning, bind you like a halter
you have learned to pull inside...
The courage to walk out of the pain that is known
into the pain that cannot be imagined...
So they walked out of Egypt. So they bribed their way...
out of pain into death or freedom or a different
painful dignity, into squalor and politics.
We honor those who let go of every-
thing but freedom, who ran, who revolted, who fought,
who became other by saving themselves.
—Marge Piercy, MaggidSeverus Snape, hurled out of the unkind nineties and back into the Age of Aquarius, looks back to the future and can't be having with this BS.
Chapter 3: Into dragons' mouths
Evan and Eileen agree on exactly one thing. Severus multiclasses as a bard. Tobias gets a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down, but does not appreciate it.Series
- Part 4 of Ouroboros: The Cobra Coils
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Summary
Albus already knew the problem with yes-men, but he gently reigns a people who bow.
As a professor, Severus watched Albus learn to indulgently ignore him.
As a student, he calculates he has one chance to make an impression.Series
- Part 3 of Ouroboros: The Cobra Coils
- Part 19 of Chew on this
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Summary
A prologue. An epilogue? Time travel, man, idk.
Giving death the side-eye on the same ley line at both ends of his life, Severus finds himself reaching for magic instead of an insult. He gains a brand-new future, questionably bright, and a concussion. A victory this stupidly undignified can only mean this is undoubtedly his life.
First, darkest, and purplest by far in a series of short fics.
This post and this series, like all works in the last idk 15 years or so, only have my permission to be on AO3. Which means if you're seeing it elsewhere you can give feedback till the cows come home and I'll never know, guys, come on; 'ask permission before doing ANYTHING to someone else's work' should go without saying, yeah?
Series
- Part 1 of Ouroboros: The Cobra Coils
- Part 32 of It's a standalone (too)
- Part 18 of Chew on this
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Summary
Severus changes history beyond repair by skipping breakfast.
Series
- Part 2 of Ouroboros: The Cobra Coils
- Part 17 of Chew on this
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Summary
You know how stories often have a narrator? It's like that, except for art.
And you know that thing where it says 'dead dove, do not eat' and it means you should believe the tags and be warned? It's like that, except if the bag said 'jellybeans.'
This post: Le béret (1983) andTime izzit (1985)
Both crossposts from The Dark RiverSeries
- Part 17 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 31 of It's a standalone (too)
- Part 7 of Pastillage
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Summary
There's a problem with the wands.
There's also a problem in the potions classroom, but you already knew that.Ch 1: The watchtower in the shadows
Ch 2: The tearoom icing over
Ch 3: The coffins of stolen heartstrings
Ch 4: The bureau built on bleached bones
Ch 5: The mirror into the grave
Ch 6: The hunger of the uncontentThe author is not responsible for any cavities obtained in the consumption of this fluffernutter.
Series
- Part 18 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 8 of Pastillage
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Summary
Autumn: 1980: The wizarding world has been straining against the rotting stitches of tradition and tribalism for at least a thousand years. Every few centuries, things get so bad that even wizards admit there's a problem. It's gonna be one of those years.
Hogwarts may or may not be talking to its newest guardian through the stones, a government under threat that can't be pinned on a map is a dangerously predictable animal, the elements that move a nation are blood, gold, and ink, and Tom Riddle is pretty sure they should all be thanking him for the kick in the pants.
What'cha got in there, Pandora?
Ch. 47: Severus suspects that the group noun for implications might be 'an alarm.'
Series
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The Lion-Taming of the Shrew by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
09 Nov 2020
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Summary
Sirius babysits and Severus bakes cookies. Neither of these things is strictly true. Marauders, your archenemy. No—look down... No, not metaphorically!
Sirius's kitchen contains two Gryffs, two snakes, two Blacks, two adult male humans, and neither of the two people in it would agree with even one of those descriptions. It's just till teatime, Sirius, you can make it...Chapter 4: The Flyte in the Ointment (and epilogue)
In which Sirius is brave, Evan is laid-back and chatty, and Severus reads Beowulf (or possibly Jabberwock)
In which Sirius is trying, Evan has a lot of opinions, and Severus is patient(ly lying in wait).
In which Sirius is a cowardly lion, Evan is a circling fin in rough waters, and Severus lets his boyfriend loosen the lid on the pickle jar.Everybody's a hat-stall; pick your poison.
(mostly) Fluffy crack taken seriously.
Series
- Part 15 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 4 of Pastillage
- Part 1 of Chew on this
- Part 8 of It's a standalone (too)
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By Rook or by Crook by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
27 Jul 2020
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Summary
Why no one in Slytherin will play chess with Snape.
Starring Evan Rosier as Long-Suffering Flatmate and Perenelle Flamel as About To Be Long-Suffering Occlumency Teacher.
Series
- Part 6 of Pastillage
- Part 12 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 5 of It's a standalone (too)
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The Delectable Mountains by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
26 May 2020
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Summary
In which all manner of terrible events completely fail to show up for work.
(OK, some of them are just taking the scenic route on their commute, but the point is they aren't here right now.)
Contains makeshift Quidditch, variably appalling culinary experimentation, Lucius being a bit much, Severus being awkward and unfair, an Evan too burned out on fretting to pay proper attention to the politics, disgusting quantities of heart-eyes, and a flat filled only with possibility.Series
- Part 8 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 2 of Pastillage
- Part 12 of It's a standalone (too)
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Interpreter's House by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
03 Dec 2019
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Summary
Evan has the 'I don't know where I'm going, but I'm going nowhere in a hurry' blues, and Severus can't understand why everyone's in such a rush.
Series
- Part 6 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 1 of Pastillage
- Part 13 of It's a standalone (too)
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A Quartz Contentment by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
22 Apr 2019
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Summary
"You actually are joking, Perce... I don't think I've heard you joke since you were—!"
Series
- Part 15 of Chew on this
- Part 3 of It's a standalone (too)
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Summary
A house divided against itself and held together with duct tape may be able to stand, but raises questions about for how long, and um, is the chimney taped up, too? Because the windows are maybe straining a little and that might just be a grease fire in the kitchen; did you know flour is combustible? And oh, hey, was that insulated duct tape? Because the whole world knows winter is coming, and at this point an iced-zombie invasion would really just be kinda extra.
J/K! ROFLMAO, you should see your face. 😂 Relax, will ya? A hero can handle ANYTHING!
(America. 2018. Someone will try to make sure you forget.)
Series
- Part 2 of Chew on this
- Part 2 of It's a standalone (too)
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Dobby Goes to Canterbury by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
26 Dec 2018
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Summary
Dobby tells Harry that he enters Our Hero’s story as the brave, downtrodden slave of Lucius Malfoy, a bad master he hates and fears and who treats him very badly. He looks and behaves as if he is. Lucius behaves as though Dobby’s story is true.
Dobby’s story has enough holes you could fly a Quidditch team through it.
Series
- Part 16 of Chew on this
- Part 15 of It's a standalone (too)
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Summary
Britain, Summer of 1980. The world isn't made of good people and Death Eaters—and that's true whichever way you cut it. Prophecies have been spoken and heard, children born, Horcuxes hidden, and one Tom Riddle is losing his grip even as his power builds.
Hogwarts is coming. The first smoky tendrils of war are in the air, if you know what to look for, if you know how to see.
Sod all that.
This is Slytherin: family first.
Series
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The Maiden and the Hag by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
25 Jul 2016
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Summary
or: Valley of the Shadow: Act II, Chapter 21, scene iv, draft A
Beta: ZOMG, what an (CENSORED!)
Author: ...Oookay, clearly you are not reading the chapter I meant to write.
(Much, much revision)
.
.
.
Beta: ...My understanding of this chapter has just gone through a sudden sea-change: like a chemical reaction spreading out from boiling point. HOLY (CENSORED).
Author: Phew, chapter is correct now!
Beta: I want all of your readers to be able to read both versions, because this is CRAZY. This is tragedy in stereo, because I can't stop seeing both heartbreaking sides at once.
Author: As you wish.Please note! Yes, this is a draft of a piece of a chapter of a longer work. If you aren't up to date on that fic, this will make no (CENSORED) sense. vOv
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Subjectiverse DVD Bonus Extras by potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling, Fandom - Fandom, Meta - Fandom
09 Feb 2016
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Summary
ch 12: Lions and Tigers and Crocodiles, Oh… what?
In which the characters answer questions from all interested parties. Includes:
* Who made James, Evan, and Reggie into pigs? Was it Circe? It was Circe, wasn’t it.
* Why is Severus buying circular knitting needles? Should we be afraid? (Spoiler: YES)
* Who buys James Potter’s pants?
* What kind of car would Lord Voldemort drive?
* How does Severus really feel about beards?!?!
* Is he insane, crazy, or merely surrounded by idiots? (Debate!)
and many, many more!A continuing effort made possible by you our readers, and by the letters SOS.
Ask us anything! (In the comments, even!)Only be warned: if you want a spoiler you're out of luck, and if it's too personal Severus may slip veritaserum in your OJ to balance the blackmail potential. (But not in your coffee. He's not an animal.)
Series
- Part 16 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 5 of Pastillage
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River of the Water of Life by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen for psyche_girl, lupin5th
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
13 Jul 2015
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Summary
Hovering between graduation and the opening shots of war, two Death Eaters will work towards their masters' degrees—if they can find time between All Of The Feels and bickering about the rent. Perhaps unexpectedly, it's the art student who's burdened with Ancient and Lethally-Forbidden Secrets, but Severus's biggest problem in life is always being someone else's solution.
Not an AU.
No. Really.
Series
- Part 9 of Subjectiverse (the truth is what i see it is)
- Part 3 of Pastillage
- Part 7 of It's a standalone (too)
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Valley of the Shadow, Act I by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
06 Jul 2015
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Summary
Gryffindor isn't what Slytherin sees in it, and the reverse is even more true. The Potters don't know they look different depending on where you're standing, the Blacks know precisely how they come across and like it that way, and Severus Snape isn't quite who anyone thinks he is—least of all himself.
Britain, Spring of 1980. No one cares what's fair when their people are on the line, and truth would be subjective even if everyone told it. Brute-force battles are clumsy weapons; why not use smoke and smiles, masks and mirrors, or silk scarves in the dark?. Roll up your sleeves, slip into your cloak, and put a reporter who likes you on emergency dial. This is war, kids—pick a side!
...What the hell. Pick three.
Ch. 1: Hogwarts has a history, Narcissa has a party, Rodolphus has a fun craft activity to share, and Severus is left with
the bodya dilemma. Maybe all those mysteries he's read will help?
ahahahano.
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Ch. 72: July 31, 11:45 pm:
Potter vs Snape, round 993,234,546,878. Snape vs Potter, round 1.
Love this fic, hate it, or be totally confused: I solemnly swear that this is not a ride you've been on before.Series
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Hogwarts Prefers the Mongoose by nightfall rising (potionpen), potionpen
Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
16 Mar 2015
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Summary
...Yes, even Slytherin does.
At the end of OotP, Severus is not, in fact, gloating about Sirius's death. He has someone else's destruction to celebrate, and Minerva is with him all the way.
(All stories in this series can be read as one-shots)
Series
- Part 3 of the Hogwarts' faculty mascot is a cobra
- Part 6 of It's a standalone (too)