InsaneJournal

Current mood:	relaxed
Current music:	Handel's Messiah - Academy of St. Martin in the Field Chrous

H/D Rec - Alchemy in Quarter Time
Recently I've had several conversations with various people about whether or not there is still anything new worth "saying" about H/D. My response has always been an unqualified "yes" - not because I believe in endless plot permutations and increasingly outrageous AU scenarios, but because I believe that good writers can make even the old seem new again without a lot of bells and whistles and fancy plots. The only thing that's required is good, sound, thoughtful writing.

A perfect example of what I mean by this is Lilithilien's story Alchemy in Quarter Time. If I were to summarize the plot (i.e. Draco challenges Harry to a duel, they end up kissing and eventually more, their allegiances drive them apart, Draco pines in exile, etc.), people would yawn and say, "been there, done that." But the thing is they'd be wrong. Sure, the plot's familiar (although it is amazingly refreshing to read a true Hogwarts-era fic these days), but the way it's written isn't. Despite a few unfortunate (but not dire) SPaG errors, Lilithilien's writing is lovely and lyrical and profound (without hitting you over the head). In her hands, Harry and Draco feel solid and real, but at the same time universal. This sense of timelessness is due partially to the structuring of Alchemy around the four elements, which causes Harry and Draco's relationship to feel like each one in turn - fire, earth, air and water - but also like a fifth element (I'm tempted here to call the fifth element love, but the fear of being outed as the hopeless romantic I am holds me back *g*). This is one of those stories that makes you feel like a better person for having read it. It elevates and challenges and touches you. And best of all it reminds you exactly why it is you loved this ship in the first place.

Teaser link:

So this is how Potter will triumph. Children's jinxes and old-fashioned doggedness, wearing the Dark Lord down with irrepressible optimism and shabby clothes and that eternal flame that refuses to burn out. Facing him now, Draco is forced to admit it's an imposing combination. "Circle like smoke back to its source," his father had said, but didn't that bring them to where they now stood, close enough to see the fevered pulse in Potter's throat, to breathe in the air warm from his lungs? Could this be where their steps had always meant to lead?