Snape/Regulus - "This Masterpiece of Nature", by anneline

Hello fellow broom enthusiasts, I'm noorie and this month I'll be reccing my fave rare pair: Snape/Regulus. I'll spare you the full ship manifesto, but I will say this: think of the possibilities... The aaaangst, and the young puppy love (or lust? Slytherin manipulation?), and the the terror, and the betrayal (of self, dark lord, each other?), and Sirius flipping out, and the way we know it has to end... or do we? I guess the best way to pimp the pairing is by pimping some of the amazing fic written (there's quite a lot of it, actually!).

Title: This Masterpiece of Nature
Author: anneline
Pairing: Mostly genfic with some Snape/Regulus
Rating: Rated R for bad language and adult situations (+ warnings for angst and one sexual situation between Severus and Regulus while both are still at Hogwarts).
Summary: "A friend might well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."
Author's Website: LJ memories
Why everyone should read this: Because it is a masterpiece in itself. In one word, it's perfect.
In (many) more words...
This fic will tug at your heart with that nostalgic pull. The writing's beautiful -almost poetry at times- and the characters are oddly... lovable. The author really managed to capture the *feel* of what she's writing about, those old times when you're young and then later and what it feels like to remember. She also captures the essence of the people she's describing, and quite effectively.
There's one writing "trick" that I found charming, and that's the use of mannerisms and little interactions between Severus and the photographs he's dusting. I know it sounds lame when I say it like that, but trust me, it's awesome.
And then there's the rest of it, which is also of the good. Like the previously recced Fumbling Towards Iniquity, a rec which I second, BTW, this fic shows Severus and Regulus as part of a group of, well, *friends*. Death Eaters in training, yes, but so much younger and so human. I love it when the "Junior Death League" (a term coined by emily_anne, I believe) discuss politics and philosophy. They're so passionate and pretentious and full of shit (Regulus in particular), it's *teenager-y* and plausible, and you can just feel disillusionment on its way and how much it's all going to hurt.

- ...this is intelligent fanfiction... beautifully characterised, exquisitely detailed, canon-perfect.
- One of the most richly textured, complex, thought-provoking, touching fics I've ever read in this fandom.
- Subtle and layered characterisation of all the Death Eaters: you've made each of them individuals, and given depth to their personalities.
- This was an instant classic; any one who professes an interest in the Slytherins or the darker side of the fandom should certainly read it.

(Mods, I hope it's alright that I'm doing this, if not just let me know and I'll delete that part...)

On the lawn one June, right before Bellatrix and Rodolphus left Hogwarts, the sunshine was a blinding shimmer, diamond-bright off the lake. Wilkes and Rosier bobbed on broomsticks in the sky above, practicing Quidditch skills with Avery. Avery flew too back then but wasn't half so natural in the air. Regulus must have been nearby, sitting on the grass. Still a child, really, younger than Severus. They were on that little hill by the water. Bellatrix and Rodolphus on the stone bench, kissing, like they always did, arm-entwined and leg-curled, Rodolphus pressing forward and Bellatrix angling back more and more, skirt rucking up, just a bit, nothing too tawdry.

I could go on, but it's 2AM where I'm at and I've got to work tomorrow. Why are you still reading this by the way? Go read anneline's fic. I doubt you'll regret it.