#1

Title: Mind Games by Arsenic
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Snape
Categories: drama, epistolary
Length: Long (~18,300)
Warnings: written before Book 6

Author on LJ: n/a?
Website: n/a

Review:
The looong (over two years) shift in Harry and Severus's relationship from furious adversaries to tentative lovers allies.

The writing in this fic is sparse and a bit choppy, as the story is told in scenes and letters rather than with a traditional narrative style. While not usually a style that I like, it really works in this fic, especially in the way that it allows time to pass naturally. A Harry/Snape pairing is one that works best when it isn't rushed and Arsenic definitely takes her time.

I'm also quite impressed with the characterizations. Harry is quite good, but Snape is excellent: irascible and touchy to the very end, and yet realistically growing into a (slightly) more sympathetic character. As befits this characterization, the ending is left open, full of future possibilities (and, undoubtedly, future squabbles).

Ideal for those Harry Potter fans looking for a slight change of pace.

Mind Games