Old Favorites: Dark(ish) Snarry
So, I was asked what 'classics' of Snarry I like, and I've got a million of 'em. So I thought I'd do some posts with my favorite all-time Snarries, grouped into categories.
First up is what I consider to be 'dark(ish)' Snarry - which I'm not in the habit of reccing, not because they're bad (God, anything but), but because I am a darkfic wimp. But these are simply terrific stories - some political intrigue and dystopia, some dark!Harry, and maybe even - although I have a hard, hard time going there - a dark!Snape or two. I'm also throwing what sad!fic I can read in here, since it, um, makes me cry. Hence the "ish."
In no particular order, then:
Through a Glass, Darkly, by Lexin (NC-17, 27k) This is Dark. It takes place in a wizarding world ruled by Lord Voldemort, and a Hogwarts that's a nightmarish version of the worst of British public school tropes - younger boys servicing older, students under the protectorship of faculty in exchange for sexual favors - but it's imagined so clearly and cleverly, and the prose is so terrific, that it just works.
Sing A Mad Rebellion, by femmequixotic (NC-17, 55k) This is the best political intrigue Snarry I've ever read. It's steeped in the language and plotting of the best mainstream political thrillers, but wholly about a wizarding world gone bad, and a Harry Potter who's considered a sellout by the struggling Resistance, headed by none other than Severus Snape. It's hard to overstate how good this is, and I'm not generally a fan of political stories. This is, it should be said, not exactly dark, but more dystopic.
Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You, by kai (NC-17, 33k) Another Dark fic, and one that stayed with me long after I read it. But kai is such an incredible writer, and this world is so skillfully realized, that I can't help but love this, even as it kind of freaks me out a bit. As in Through a Glass, Darkly, here we have a powerful Harry and Snape as his right-hand man, which I think is kind of a kink of mine, on reflection.
And the reason I think it may be a bit of a kink is because I also really love A Little Touch of Harry in the Night, by Amaneuensis (NC-17, 17k), which is an adaptation - a freaking brilliant adaptation - of Henry V. Here, too - Harry is in control, and Snape is a loyal right-hand man, but one (as in the other stories) who holds sway over Harry like no other. The Harry of these stories might spin out of control, but for Snape who keeps him in check and gives him what he needs.
Red Right Hand, by Ac1d6urn & Sinick (NC-17, 48k) Another dystopic wizarding world story, but so affecting - stark and incredibly original. I have to confess, it's been ages since I read this, but I still remember just feeling incredibly satisfied by the end. Snape here is fantastic - angry, rejected, rebellious - practically a punk hero, and just so amazing.
Clipped Wings, by Teka Lynn (R, 22k) Another dystopic wizarding world, so I officially have two 'unusual' Snarry kinks. Fair warning, this one makes me cry; not that the ending is sad, per se, but it's ambiguous enough that it just brings me to tears every time. This one features a particularly well-written Dudley Dursley, and a Harry who, in the end, still - always - does the right thing.
Three Months, by Toft (PG-13, 1.3k) This is about as close as I come to deathfic, in which Harry is not dead, but Snape believes he is. Breaks. My. Heart. But in such a good way. Short and bittersweet.
And Tell Me Who Is Victor, by Switchknife (NC-17) I fucking love this story. It breaks my heart anew every single time I read it - here, it's Harry who believes that Snape is dead, and when he realizes that the information is wrong, Harry's - "relief" isn't an adequate word to describe Harry's reaction. If you had to read one story that you knew would rip your heart out before giving it back, this is the one, because it's simply exquisite.
Circumstances Most Uncommon, by Sansa (unrated) Beautifully sad, although Harry and Snape do find and keep each other in the end. But they've forgotten - the wizarding world, each other - and we find out that some of that is on purpose. Strange and almost dreamlike.
In Infinite Remorse of Soul/And Mine the Gall, by perverse_idyll (NC-17, 10k/R, 5k) You won't forget these stories. They take 'dark' and bleak and turn them into something lush, in the most nightmarish sense of the word. They are gorgeous and grotesque and just haunting. This is dark!Snape, but so compelling - and, of course, he really does love Harry. Dark, dark love (this is actually not an old fic at all, but from 2011; unforgettable).
Dark!Snape is, in truth, a character I rarely read - again, because I am a wimp, pure and simple. But if you like him, there's a fest that's been ongoing for about a month now - I think reveals are going up on Snape's birthday, but don't quote me, and I do know that there's some treasure in there, one of which I'll be reccing once reveals are up. Have a look at Bring Back the Bastard.
