Fannish Catch-Up

I wasn't going to leave any prompts at hp_kinkfest this year, because to the best of my memory, there has been exactly one older-woman fic at Kinkfest in all its five years. So the chances of my prompts being chosen seemed somewhere in the zero range.

But then again, the only way you know for sure that no one will choose your prompts is if you don't post any. So with the encouragement of a few friends *waves at them*, I went for it. In fact, I got so carried away that I left nine prompts, only realizing after the fact that there is a seven-prompt limit (I deleted two; they'll keep). I had a lot of fun with them, and even if they aren't the kinkiest kinks on the kink platter, that's fine. And if no one chooses them, no problem; I can always write them myself some day.

And I've been reading, too. The fantastic hoggywartyxmas is still posting. It's always an excellent fest, but this year, it's positively outdone itself. I honestly could rec everything, but I'm trying to be restrained. Here are a couple more:

All Quiet, For Now by Anonymous (Minerva, Amelia; PG-13)
This fine fic has an irresistible premise: What if Minerva had been headmistress on the night that Voldemort killed James and Lily Potter? What difference would it have made to have Harry's fate (not to mention Grindelwald's) decided with a woman's leadership style? Both Minerva and Amelia are beautifully characterized.

Home for the Holidays and Other Awkward but Ultimately Satisfactory Situations by Anonymous (Minerva, Eileen Prince, Severus, Albus; PG)
I like the way this quiet fic gives us the helpful realities: we can love our families without necessarily wanting to spend major holidays with them. We can love and help our friends without loving all their choices or romanticizing their flaws. We can sometimes even feel a little regret at what we need to sacrifice in order to help them -- and it's okay. We can let "victims" be human and less than perfect; they don't need to be saints to deserve help or sympathy. We can change our plans, and the world won't end. Plus, the period pictures are perfect.

I'll probably have more recs before the Reveals.

I also intended to do the





this year, but so far, I haven't felt moved to do any of the particular challenges. There are several more days to go, though, and it's a low-pressure thing, so I can jump in later if I want to. I've very much enjoyed reading other people's responses.