Back from vacation! I figured I'd celebrate with a super epic:)

Title: Before the Dawn by Snarkyroxy
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Hermione/Snape
Categories: action, angst, drama, hurt/comfort, virgin
Length: Very, VERY Epic (300,000+ words)
Warnings: Not book 6 or 7 compliant; major character death (not Hermione or Snape)

Authors on LJ: snarkyroxy
Website: n/a

Review:
When the war against Voldemort intensifies, Hermione is brought in to help with the potion-making for Hogwarts infirmary, freeing up Severus for researching potions required by Voldemort (and, more importantly, antidotes to same). Lots and lots and lots of angst ensues.

I've been ranting a lot about het over at epic_rants , so I was *very* glad to stumble across this opus of awesomeness. The writing is phenomenal (apparently snarkyroxy has gone on to get a Masters in writing), the developing relationship between Hermione and Severus is slow-building and realistic, and the war is appropriately grim (note the warning -- though the fact that I'm reccing this story despite the character deaths tells you just how good it is). The characterization is also great, especially for Hermione, Snape, and Dumbledore. In fact, this is quite possibly the most plausible and in-character Dumbledore that I've ever read. He's not particularly likable when you see the machinations behind the curtain, but people who have to make hard decisions are rarely loved for them.

While there are a few slow moments, overall Before the Dawn is a realistic, satisfying read. Ideal for Hermione/Severus fans, het fans, and/or anyone wanting to take a first stab at Harry Potter het.

Note: the ff.net version of this story (i.e., the one I read and the one linked below) is edited. Apparently there is a more sexually explicit version out there somewhere, if you care to look. Personally, I found the sex to be the least satisfying part of this fic (there are positions other than missionary. Also, I can't imagine Hermione being so very passive in bed), but if you like your het to be smutty, there is a link to the other version from the author's LJ).

Before the Dawn (ff.net)