BlackEyedGirl

Author at http://www.fanfiction.net/~BlackEyedGirl.
Also has a journal at http://black-eyedgirl.livejournal.com/.

Strange Empathy (Harry Potter)

Reviewed by Kathryn A on 26th May 2011 (2)
Tags: Novella, AU Jossed, Sixth Year, Reconciliation, Friendship, Worldbuilding
Characters: Harry Potter, Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy
(259K, 31266 words)

Summary: Sometimes a few words are all it takes to change how you think of someone. And sometimes the people you thought could never understand are the only ones who can. AU, Post-OOTP.

In this AU story set after OOTP, Harry turns over a new leaf, and he and Snape have a fresh start. I love the characterisation of Harry here; more mature, forthright in standing up for what is right even if it costs him, but still with a troubled heart inside. Snape is sardonic, but not hateful. And once he and Harry start trusting each other, we have an adult and a young man interacting, not a greasy git and a resentful brat. Or perhaps I should say, two resentful brats. And then we have Draco, who decides that self-preservation isn't well-served by following in his father's footsteps.

Other things that stand out about this story are: a) the creative way that Harry comes up with to combat bullying b) the use of self-transfiguration as disguise c) the interesting extension of Occulmency which Harry discovers.