#tner

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#harrietpotter my beloved

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TNER favorite characters

Literature is transformative. That’s not a new concept, but one as old as language itself. That stories allow us to explore so many hidden avenues of our being that we transform ourselves in the process. Is studied this theory for years, wrote on the link between ‘magic’ and de-familiarization. My theory took me to top international academic conferences, but it wasn’t one I really understood until I experienced it myself.

When I came across ‘The Never-Ending Road almost 4 years ago I was an anxious reck of a student. My days were spent locked away, whether in my room or in the library I rarely talked to people and when I did my mind would play it back until it warped into something different altogether. But those evenings, where ever I was, no matter how I was. I would be reading ‘TNER’ as I liked to call it. I have always ardently believed in the power of language, but I feel it falls short to describe just how deeply and profoundly I’ve been transformed by @laventadorn​ ‘s work. In times of turbulence it has been the rock I clung to, and it times of joy it has been the fireworks illuminating the night. It has been my world when this one became too wretched. 

I could talk at length about the literary brilliance of this piece, about the structure, the plot and the dialogue. The fluidity of the narrative, the language, the characterization. I could talk about how each work in tandem with each other to complete a compelling narrative where each and every sentence strike you with emotion. In a world that is often indifferent, emotion that is conveyed so deeply by the author that it strikes the reader is the highest form of art. 

I am truly, endlessly, grateful for ‘The Never-Ending Road’ as it has meant the world to me, and it continues to do so. I still re-read it every few months. I still feel the level of deep emotions each read through, and I am still profoundly transformed by such an incredible piece. I am so thankful each and every day for the strength, courage, and inspiration TNER has given me and continues to give me. 

That’s why it felt only natural to have it tattooed over my side and close to my heart as it will always be with me. I chose a Holly branch for Sirius’ nickname of Harriet as ‘Holly-berry’. The sharp leaves of the Holly represent Severus, his sharpness, and the green for his house of Slytherin. The red berries are Harriet, poisonous at times though innocuous at first glance. They are red like her house of Gryffindor. the original plan was to get it colored it, but I really like it how it is now. The story itself isn’t finished and I think it resembles that a bit, which I rather like. For me, there could never be another word written for TNER and I would still feel the same I do now, grateful for each word that has been written thus far. 

 I am so incredibly thankful for all your wonderful work on such an absolutely phenomenal story. It has transformed me down to the core of my being. Laventadorn, I truly hope that you have been able to find the peace that your story has given me. You are an incredible writer, and TNER will go down in my book as my favorite piece of literature. Thank you so much, I am forever in your debt.

Expecto Patronum, he thought.

The hospital wing filled with starlight as the doe coalesced in motes of brilliant silver and white. The clearer she became, the more he felt himself relax, as a sense of calm mixed, as always, with powerful sadness exhaled through him like waves up an ocean shore. He wondered how many other people could achieve hand-in-hand with grief what Dumbledore called the Patronus, the perfect manifestation of joy. Every memory he possessed of Lily was touched by the knowledge that she was gone, but her absence did not diminish her power that lingered in his heart. It would always be there, bound up in his sorrow, his guilt, his—

"Oh," said a soft, wondering voice.

He looked past the doe. In the circle of argent light it threw across the room, he could see the girl propped up on one elbow. Her eyes were wide, colorless and dark in the night, but she didn't seem to see him—she was staring, rapt, at the doe.

It had turned at the sound of her voice and now moved toward her, a trail of coruscating brightness lingering in its wake. The girl sat up, stretching out her hand, slow and dream-like. Severus kept absolutely still.

Then the Patronus faded, more slowly than it usually did, diminishing to an outline and then to a single mote of brightness where the heart would have been. The world seemed darker, colder, even though the Patronus gave off no warmth.

The girl lay back down, her face just visible in the soft light of the lamps that burned at the end of the ward. Her eyes were fixed on the spot where the doe had been. Severus watched the light shine in pinpricks in her eyes until she closed them some time later. Shortly after, her breathing slipped into evenness again, and she was asleep.

For the first time, he thought not only of what Lily had lost, but her daughter also, eleven years ago.

The Never-ending Road by @laventadorn

As further proof of my obsession with two very specific fic series, I present you with female Harry from No Journey's End by @laventadorn. It's the second of the series and so, so good. Wonderful prose, fantastic characterization. It just brings me joy to reread it <3