#a discovery of witches trilogy i’m looking directly at you

[curiositeath]

personally, the biggest crime stephanie meyer ever committed when finishing the twilight series was not the blatantly racist and colonialist lore she chose to write for both vampires and werewolves, nor was it making the werewolf love interest named after her real-life brother imprint on the baby of her self-insert-coded protagonist. no, it was actually having a “climax” so completely and unbearably anticlimactic that it convinced and emboldened other writers, editors, and publishers to believe that a narrative resolution where nothing actually happens, no dramatic conflict of any kind takes place, the stakes and risks easily dissipated as the characters merely talk about what could have happened like gosh what a relief guess we can all just go home is a kind of literary subversion instead of what it actually is, which is not only literarily and emotionally unsatisfying, but also infuriatingly, mind-numbingly boring, so in this essay I will—

[acciocrzychickfics]

2020 Remadora Fanfic Recommendations

So these are not all of my favorites because there are so many, many to choose from but these are. Also I rarely read fluff, so I struggled with that list, sorry. I have put an * next to any story that is fabulous read by has been abandoned.  

MutliChapter Rec

1. If Only by LoquaciousLupin

Tonks meets a mysterious, charming and handsome man at a muggle bar, imagine her surprise when the next time she bumps into him is at her first Order meeting! Will they continue their flirtatious relationship or push aside their feelings in the name of the Order?

Rating: K  Status: Complete

2. The Bureaucratic Error by Iniga

After his death, Remus finds himself 5 years in the past, having undone Voldemort's defeat and Teddy's birth. He's going to need his old friend Sirius to help him with this one.

Rating: T   Status : Incomplete* 

3. Chasing Grindylows by Firetoflame

She pens the note on official Ministry letterhead. Remus Lupin, it reads. You are hereby summoned to attend an Auror interview regarding case file number 713, suspect to be named, Sirius Black. You are required to attend promptly at nine o'clock on the morning of Tuesday the twenty-first. Sincerely, Nymphadora Tonks, Auror Department

Rating: M Status: Complete 

4. Lycanthropy, Love and Other Curses by Thora Jane

This is the story of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks from beginning...to end.

Rating: T    Status: In-Progress (last updated on 12/13/20)

5. A Marriage of Convivence? by BDA 

The Ministry of Magic is preparing to pass new and extremely restrictive laws against magical beings. The Order must scramble to protect Remus, who will be greatly affected by the restrictions on werewolves. Thankfully Dumbledore has a solution. It is decided that Remus will marry Tonks - a pretend relationship to take advantage of a loophole in the laws. Will it work? How will the pair find being married to each other? 

Rating: E       Status: Complete

6. A Crinkle of Fate by AFaith1192 

What if you were given a second chance? An opportunity to change everything... At the last minute before dying, Nymphadora Tonks makes a desperate wish; a wish to save more than one life. But changing the future has a price, and she will have to learn how to pay it. 

Rating: T Status: In-Progress (last updated on 11/15/20)

7. Flying Colours Series by TauraNorma 

The ‘Flying Colours’ trilogy follows Lupin and Tonks’ romance across the canon timeline, from the beginning of the Order of the Phoenix until the end of the Deathly Hallows. 

Rating: E      Status: In-Progress 

8.  Snapshots by brainyisalwayssexy

Mini scenes and moments that could’ve, should’ve been in the films, but weren’t. Movie-canon semi-compliant. Not meant to make sense from chapter to chapter, and not in chronological order.

Rating: M Status: In-Progress (last updated on 12/21/20)

9.Muggle AU Series by AyashiTetsuko132

A school teacher with a rebellious past. A punk musician with a dynamic present. They have an interesting future together.

Rating: T Status: Complete 

10. Protection Detail by LoquaciousLupin

As she can't actively be involved with the search for Black, Tonks is sent to co-ordinate the protection of Hogwarts and Harry Potter whilst Sirius is on the loose. Whilst there, she befriends a charming but secretive new professor. Set during Prisoner of Azkaban. AU in later chapters. Rated for language! Remus/Tonks centred fic.

Rating: T Status: Incomplete (last updated 06/27/20)

11. Worth the Risk by HeadintheCloudsForever

AU. Odyssey-length long fic. Tonks/Remus. Following an Order mission gone horribly wrong that results in Tonks becoming gravely wounded, she meets Remus Lupin when he and Moody rescue her, and Dumbledore assigns Lupin as her new partner for the year, and during the painful time of healing as the young witch recovers from her injuries, she slowly begins to warm up to the man and falls in love with him. Remadora.

Rating: T        Status: Complete 

Angst/Hurt/Comfort

1. I Can't Tell Her by accio_spaceman

He couldn't tell her- it would ruin everything. But can he stop himself? Originally written about Remadora but written in such a way that you could make it about pretty much anyone. 

Rating: K    Status: Complete 

2. In Denial by secretfanficlover

Remus and Tonks try their best to prevent Tonks from becoming pregnant, a war wasn't the time or place for a child, but Teddy was going to become part of the family whether they liked it or not.

Rating: K  Status: Complete 

3. The First Goodbye by couldbemoresonic

“I’m leaving. Albus,” he nodded to the Hogwarts Headmaster, who nodded in return, “has asked me to go into the Underground to help with recruiting.” A few people gasped, Molly audibly said, “Remus no, that’s far too dangerous!” Remus didn’t look at Molly Weasley though. He found himself instead, looking directly into the pale grey eyes of Nymphadora Tonks.

Remus leaves to be a Werewolf spy for the Order, but stops in to say goodbye first.

Rating: G  Status: Complete 

4. Clearing the Desk by HecateA

Harry inherited a certain someone's desk in the Auror Office and finds out just how many slices of someone's life can be contained in a couple of drawers. Oneshot. 

Rating:   K  Status: Complete 

5. For the Sake of the Daughter by Gilpin 

Tonks brings Remus home to see her parents and it's a meeting of mixed emotions for all. Set just after the end of HBP 

Rating:  T  Status: Complete 

Fluffy, Fluff

1. The Order’s Most Eligible Bachelors by cafei-au-lei

The Order's Most Eligible Bachelors, or: the ladies indulge in some firewhiskey and gossip. Sirius and Remus stumble upon a game they're not sure they want to be privy to (okay, maybe Sirius does.) The results lead to some necessary conversation and introspection for a few of the parties involved. Oneshot. 

Rating: T  Status: Complete

2. Lucky Stars by Sirussly 

Series of oneshots (most are fluffly haha)

Rating: G     Status: Incomplete*

3. Chapter by Chapter by HecateA 

Due to a mix-up in the school library, McGonagall's new TA gets the book that Remus needs, which leads to some slow and painful torture. Oneshot. University/College AU.

Rating: K Status: Complete

4. Strange Magic by ItsSoRonksItsRight

Molly comes across a pair of bright purple female short-style lace briefs, what will Remus do? Ronks. Rated T to be safe. One-shot. Disclaimer: I do not own anything relatable to Harry Potter, I'm just borrowing. 

Rating: T Status: Complete

5. The Love Life of Nymphadora Tonks by miniandminie

After Tonks slips to Sirius that she likes someone, the entire Order of the Phoenix is on her case to find out who that ‘someone’ is, including the ‘someone’ himself: Remus Lupin. RLNT, Remadora.

Rating: K Status: Complete 

Family (Remus/Tonks/Teddy)

1. The Talk, Or The (Lighthearted) Trauma of Teddy R. Lupin by cafei-au-lei

Teddy knew when Dad brought out the firewhiskey that something was suspicious. Then again, maybe he wasn't giving Dad enough credit for being the cool parent. AU. Remus and Tonks survive to raise their son and give him The Dreaded Talk. Oneshot.

Rating: T    Status: Complete

2. Grocery Shopping with the Lupins by Deletinvthissoon

What happens when Teddy Lupin gets lost in the grocery store?

Rating: K   Status: Complete

3. In Case I Don’t Live Forever by ThatHCWriter

While cleaning out her attic years after the war, Andromeda discovers a strange muggle media device. She turns it on, and when it begins, Andromeda's world stops.

"Is this thing on? Teddy! It's your dad."

Or, how an accidental discovery allows Teddy Lupin to hear a message from beyond the grave.

Rating: T   Status: Complete 

4. Remus, Teddy! by LadyLoss15

Remadora oneshot Tonks spends an amazing day with Remus just to realize at the end of the day that, to her horror, they have forgotten about bringing Teddy home from the kindergarten. Or have they really?

Rating: NR Status: Complete 

5. The Miracle of Accidental Magic by Mills87

Teddy has a bout of accidental magic when he and his Grandma are attacked by a remnant group of Voldemort supporters on his third birthday. His magic transports him and Andromeda back in time to three years before he was born. With no way back to their time will Andromeda find a way to safely alter time to save her loved ones, what consequences may lie ahead?

Rating: T   Status: Incomplete*

Smut/PWP

1. Awake at Night by Skelpielimmer

Tonks muses on her newfound obsession with Remus Lupin's hands. OotP. Rated M for adult content!

Rating: M   Status: Complete

2. The Perils of Patrol by Worthfull1

Things get a little heated when patrolling undercover. Rated M for swearing and smut. One-shot.

Rating: E    Status: Complete 

3. Under the Invisibility Cloak by AWideEyedPhoenix84

Lupin and Tonks find themselves in a precarious situation on a mission for the Order, and months of pent-up passion come out right before the full moon.

Rating: E    Status: Complete

4. Under the Desk by immahorny

Tonks pays Lupin a visit at Hogwarts. What will happen. AU - Remus is still a teacher when they have an established relationship Book 6 . ***CAUTION: HEAVY SMUT. RATED M FOR A REASON. DON'T LIKE DON'T READ***

Rating: M    Status: Complete 

5. Phantom Touch by Fleshisonlyflesh

Dora is unable to sleep, and her fantasies of a certain werewolf cause her to find a way to relax...

Rating: E     Status: Complete 

General/Romance

1. First Meeting and She’s a Piece of Work by firetoflame

He doesn't even know her, not really, and somehow she's ended up with his wand. He thinks maybe next time he'll listen when Sirius tells him his cousin is a real piece of work.

Rating: G   Status: Complete 

2. Remus, Interrupted by Tonkswyrda 

Sirius likes to interrupt people when they're in the middle of things.

Rating: K  Status: Complete 

3. Things Sirius Black Cannot Unsee by HecateA

In which Sirius doesn't know how to knock, sees something he shouldn't have, and can't keep it to himself—especially not during a very serious Order meeting. Oneshot.

Rating: T Status: Complete 

4. Pluto by bikelock28

A series of Lupin/ Tonks one-shots. Canon universe. Ch84 now up. "Did you send him away, Professor? Or did he ask to go?".

Rating: T  Status: In-Progress (last updated on 12/18/20)

5. Girlish Giggle by failuretoland

Sirius could always tell when Remus had an enjoyable evening, and he had a bad habit of announcing it to anyone who would listen.

Rating: G   Status: Complete

6. The Dawn Patrol by aegle 

Mundungus Fletcher resents being dragged to Yorkshire by Remus and Tonks. He laments.

Rating: T   Status: Complete

7. On First Impressions by cafei-au-lei 

"'You know,' Sirius said, 'it's kind of funny. For someone who thinks Remus is so annoying, you sure can't seem to stop talking about him.'" A series of moments in Remus and Tonks' developing relationship as they get to know each other and learn that maybe first impressions aren't necessarily everything. OOTP. Oneshot. 

Rating: T  Status: Complete 

8. Tuesday by Moreofaguestage

“Sure, Okay let's go get married” Tonks replied brightly. “Where do people get married at 8pm on a Tuesday evening?”

Rating: G  Status: Complete

9. Find Us in a Week by myscribblinquill 

Tonks' new case is different to those she's had before. First off, there's no crime to solve, all she has to do it collect information on the mark and pass it along to her client. But the problem is there's nothing to pass along, he's so boring and yet, somehow, Tonks can't stop following him.

Rating: G   Status: Complete 

10. Dora by notoriously

Meetings with the Order are long and boring, and Don't-Call-Me-Nymphadora Tonks doesn't do long and boring. She takes some time out of her duties to carefully consider Remus Lupin, and he quite-significantly-less-carefully considers the name that leaves his mouth when addressing her.

Rating: G  Status: Complete 

[houseofvans]

SKETCHY BEHAVIORS | INTERVIEW WITH KATY HORAN

Focusing around witches, old croons, ghost stories and folklore, Austin based artist Katy Horan’s works address and explore various aspects of female archetypes. In a recent collaboration, Katy worked with poet Taisia Kitaiskaia to illustrate 30 portraits of women writers for a book titled Literary Witches. We’re super excited to find out more about her works, her influences, and her process in creating these beautifully haunting gouache works. 

Make the leap below! 

Photographs courtesy of the artist. 

Introduce yourself. My name is Katy Horan. I do fine art and illustration. I am really into horror and Harry Potter.

Tell folks a little about your artwork and what you love to make works about? My work is mostly 2D-- paintings and drawings, but lately I have been dabbling in some sculpture. I love to make work about witches, old ladies, ghost stories or anything that is generally folky/spooky/weird.

A lot of your artwork focuses on roles of women in various epochs. From addressing topics such as the Victorian idea of femininity to Appalachian and Ozark folklore of the healer/witch figure. Can you tell us what initially drew you to explore these particular topics, and what was the most interesting thing you discovered as you explored it as an artist? Over the years, I would stumble across Appalachian folklore or music and it sort of haunted me until I decided to explore it more directly. That’s when I discovered the Granny Witches of that region–older women who specialize in herbal medicine, midwifery and sometimes folk magic. Even though there is a lot of religion and fear of witches in that region, these women align with the witch archetype in many ways, and I find that very interesting.

Most of my work concerns itself with some sort of female archetype–witch, widow, maiden. I think it’s because these figures are changeable and can differ across time and culture. I use my work as a means of untangling all the variations, and to create a sort of inventory.

When working on a body of related paintings and works, what is your process like? What leads you to start researching any one thing? My process is kind of a mess. I am not great at starting pieces, so everything gets off to a rocky start and often goes through many changes and re-dos until they begin to make sense. At that point, I begin to enjoy them more because I can focus on cleaning them up and honing the details.

Often the things I get into researching have been knocking around in the back of my brain for a while, sometimes it’s even fragments of stories from childhood or pieces of movies I can barely remember. It’s in the process of trying to discover more about these ghosts that I uncover the strange things that end up becoming pieces.

Not only do you create moving works for shows and exhibitions, but you’ve also done tons of amazing illustrations and most recently for a book, correct? What particular illustration project was your personal favorite and why? I’ve illustrated one book called Literary Witches. It was a collaboration between myself and the poet Taisia Kitaiskaia. I got to paint surreal portraits of 30 amazing women writers to accompany her wonderfully strange writing. It really was a dream project.

What are some of your favorite books that you may have discovered while painting or researching for shows? What are you currently ready about? It’s not a new discovery, but the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark trilogy has always been a significant source of inspiration for me. I discovered the book Witches by Erica Jong in the Strand rare book room in NY in 2006/2007, and it played a huge part in my work going in a new and really important direction. I am currently taking a break from research and just enjoying some literature. Right now I am reading Joan Didion’s memoir Blue Nights and a collection of short stories by the sci-fi writer, Octavia E Butler. She was one of the writers I was introduced to while making Literary Witches, and I just love her work.  

What’s your favorite medium and what do you most enjoy about it? What medium haven’t you tried that you’d definitely like to get your hands on? Gouache would be my main medium. I love it because I can easily cover mistakes or things I don’t like. I use watercolor a lot too, but I am not very good at it, so whatever I paint usually gets covered with gouache anyway. I’ve used it before, but I would like to paint with oil sometime again. I haven’t touched it since I left art school 15 years ago and I miss it.

In your studio, what type of art materials and tools would we find on your desk? Lots of brushes in various states of ruin, masking tape in all sizes, lots of empty yogurt containers for water. Right now my sketchbook is out, which is kind of rare. I’m not a big sketchbook person. I prefer to work things out on scraps of paper and tape them to the wall so I can see all my ideas at once, but I recently took some time off my work and am just now coming back from that. I am moving really slowly and my sketchbook is a good place to ease back into things.

You’re currently residing in Austin, TX, right? What do you love about where you live, and what is the art community like in your area? Austin is a great place to live, even though we are going through a lot of growing pains at the moment. The art scene is interesting in that a good percentage of our galleries are artist run. We don’t have a huge market here, but a strong community. There are a lot of artists here making good work, but it is still pretty insular.

Who are some artists you’re inspired by and have influenced you throughout the years? Kiki Smith is a big one for me. I love how she works with archetypes across so many mediums. Other Contemporary Artists I love are Kara Walker, Nick Cave, James Kerry Marshall. I also love a lot of illustrators. Carson Ellis might be my favorite. As for older artists, I adore the female surrealists Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo. My biggest influence, though, might be folk art. I love everything from early American portraiture to Victorian era mourning art.  

What’s been the most challenging part of your art career? What’s been the most rewarding? What do you do to keep the balance? My biggest challenge comes from wanting everyday to be productive and inspired, but when you make art everyday (and have a 4 year old) that just isn’t realistic. I struggle a lot with my focus at times and just have to accept the days that don’t yield much. The most rewarding thing is looking back on all the work I’ve made so far. Often, it takes me some time after finishing a piece to really appreciate it. The farther I get from it; the more I love it.

What’s your advice to folks who see what you do and want to pursue it as a career? I think it’s good to remember that the idea of success is subjective and personal. To some, nothing less than the Whitney Biennial will do, but some others are very happy showing their work in their community or selling zines on Etsy. The truth is all these things are equal. What’s important is that you make the work you want to make, even if hardly anyone sees it. I think that the best an artist can do is to make the work that is most naturally theirs, regardless of what is considered cool or significant at the time.

What are your FAVORITE Vans?  I don’t currently have any, but I have loved a few pairs of navy blue Slip-Ons in my past!

Finally can you share with us any exciting things you’ve got lined up? Right now, I am working towards a big solo show in 2020. I have some time, so I am enjoying taking my time with it. I am also tinkering with a few ideas for future book projects.

FOLLOW KATY | WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER 

[absolxguardian]

You know what day it is. It's Classpect the SW Trios day! (Page of blood Finn? Knight of Hope Luke? I think there's something to be said about both Rey and Anakin "inviting destruction")

Ahhh, I’m not too good at classpecting, but here we go:

Anakin: Lord of Rage. Being the chosen one means Anakin gets a master class. The rage comes from is volatility, inviting destruction (as you said), and Anakin’s later belief that the Jedi were lying to him and therefore must die. Being a Lord represents Anakin because of how damn active he is in the Homestuck sense. (Also he is literally a lord of the sith) Lord’s are also known for instructing/ordering others (while musing guide/inspire) which fits Vader very well. (Other than Rage, I’d put Time as Anakin’s aspect)

Padme: Maid of Hope: The class was really hard to figure out for Padme, but Hope was easy. It can repersent convictions, a sense of right, and the need to protect people from injustice. And despite all the destruction raining down around her, Padme still imagines and an impossible world where the Republic is still around, she can be open in her marriage with Anakin, and they can raise their children. The Maid class works with the possible interpretations of “made of aspect”(her convictions are her driving personality) “one who allows others to be protected by aspect”(Democracy would be one of those said convictions. And by being a senator, democracy can actually protect the people)  “someone who protects themselves and/or others with [aspect]” (same point more but intentional, which I prefer)

Obi-Wan: Heir of Doom: The extended zodiac description calls Doom players “ fate’s chosen sufferers.” Which is pretty much Obi-Wan’s thing. Kenobi would have become more in touch with his aspect during his exile on Tatooine, leading to his resignation and wisdom in ANH. The Heir class is based on his relationship with the Force in the prequels. He lets the Force control him and protect him, in the same way Heirs are often used by their aspect. The moments in the ROTS novelization where Obi-Wan basically reaches so deep into the force he’s in a super trance, that would be an Heir thing. And he is very much a pawn of fate, making sure everything is in the right place.

Ahsoka: Page of Time: Time is because the official site describes Time players as fighters and those who value action over passive acceptance. This describes Ahsoka pretty well, especially how, during the Ahsoka book she had to help others despite the fact she was putting herself in danger of discovery. Page is because of how she provides others will the tools they need to fight as Fulcrum. And how she helps the younglings in the Trandoshian arc, the people of Raada in the book, and the insurgents of Onderan.

Luke: Slyph of Breath: “Although Breath-bound do make very good leaders, breath tends to be a very personal aspect. Often, heroism comes along as an offshoot of them pursuing their own personal stories. They lead by example, and will routinely be surprised that others look up to or feel inspired by them. They have a tendency to underestimate themselves, and not always out of poor self-esteem. They were just doing their own thing.” (Extend Zodiac). Luke has metaphorically healed a lot of things. He healed Vader by redeeming him. He healed the galaxy by ending the Empire. He was going to heal the Jedi order. All those things relate to freedom (freedom from the Emperor, freedom from the Empire, the Jedi would preserve freedom). Hence Slyph of Breath. I’d say Luke could also be a Slyph of Life just as easily.

Leia: Knight of Blood/Time: Time would be because of the same reasons I outlined for Ahsoka. Blood would be because while young Leia isn’t much of a tactician, she is a vital figurehead and inspiration to the rebellion. And as the leader of the Resistance, she is both a tactical and moral leader. It is the strength of her personality that holds the Resistance together. Knight is because, compared to Ashoka or the role of a Fulcrum, she takes a much more visible and active role leading her cause than the Page class would.

Han: Witch of Heart: This is the one I’m the least unsure of. Heart would be because of the false face Han puts on of being way cooler and unfeeling than he really is. He’s very concerned about being perceived as the smuggler role he put on. Witch would be because he tries to manipulate his identity instead of doing the natural self-discovery the site seems to say is their base deal. I’d say Breath as an aspect as a second choice, but Witch wouldn’t work with that. *shurg*

Lando (because I did Ahsoka. Guess I’m doing the quartet for all of them. And that would make it a full session) Bard of Space: I was going to say Breath as well, but I’m planning on running a Sburb Sim with their classpects later, and well, they need a Space player. And honestly, Lando’s the only one good enough at long term plans that I’d give it to him. And then I’d say Bard, because of the fact his long term plans don’t really shake out the best, instead inviting destruction 

Rey: Muse of Hope: Rey’s got some super destiny thing going on. We all know that. And the thing is, the first part of her life was really similar to Calliope’s. For most of her life, she has been acting in a passive role. And there’s a lot of parallels between Calliope and Caliborn’s relationship and Rey and Kylo’s. And as the next Jedi, Rey is going to be a big inspiration to the galaxy and the Resistance. Like Padme, she has a lot of convictions she manages to hang onto in one of the most cruel planets. But she’s a much bigger dreamer than Padme, with the whole thing she has about her parents and Luke.

Finn: Mage of Life: Discounting my “Finn as the Restiance medic trained by Kix” headcanon, his empathy still leads him away from the First Order. But when he was part of the First Order, he did it because he honestly believed the lies that the First Order was preventing anarchy from burning down the galaxy. The thing on the site about how Life players often forget to take care of themselves reflects how little value Finn was raised to place on himself. His empathy is also apparent when how he defies Phasma to protect Slip. For class, I went for Mage with the assumption of “one who is manipulated by [aspect].” This has to do with how Finn’s empathy and selflessness were manipulated by the First Order.

Rose: Seer of Hope: Yeah, sorry it’s another Hope player. All the main characters are just too much of a mess to be void, mind, or light. Those aspects aren’t really Star Wars protagonist material. Anyway, “They do right for right’s sake, and are quick to come to the aid of anyone they deem to be experiencing injustice.” “They may sound like all sunshine and rainbows, but they aren’t adverse to a little destruction, especially if they think they can replace it with something better and more just.” (Extended Zodiac). Her seer class doesn’t relate directly to her aspect. It’s more about the extent of her knowledge in general. She creates the power bafflers, some vehicles for exploring D’Qar, and figures out that the First Order is using active tracking.

Poe: Knight of Time: Poe is more similar to a younger Liea than her current leadership role on D’Qar. Since sequel trilogy Leia is very much a Knight of Blood, then Poe is a Knight of Time. (Actaully now that I’m almost done I honestly prefer knight of blood liea than knight of time Leia)

So there you go. What do you think of these? I know I didn’t go off of your classpects at all, but I’m interested in hearing what yours are. Also these were the pages I used as aspect and class descriptions:

http://hs.hiveswap.com/ezodiac/aboutaspects.php

http://mspaintadventures.wikia.com/wiki/Class