Drunken Domesticity
Title: Drunken Domesticity
Author: Icarus
Rating: PG-13
Category: Romance, Humor
Story Link: here
Author's Website: here
Author's Livejournal: icarusancalion

These two stories feature an adult Harry and Severus in an established relationship, though the first part of the story revolves around Harry crashing at Ron's place after a night of drinking. The art of the story is in the subtle revelations about Harry and Severus' relationship as Ron takes care of a completely soused Harry. I love the original take on Harry and Severus' relationship: Harry is unemployed and living off of Snape. They are locked into a cycle of violent arguments, drinking on Harry's part, and making up.

quote: "What did he say, what did you say - then what did you do and what did he do. Oh! -- almost forgot -- what did you break as you slammed the door? By-the-way, you're gonna have to get a job if you keep breaking things like that. Nothing Snape owns is cheap."

Of course, being Icarus, she throws a little Harry/Ron exploration, which I think just adds to the realism of the story. Harry is completely believable here, as is Ron. It's a lovely picture of a friendship.

In the second part Snape arrives, and Icarus' skill with characterization and interrelationships turns to the Snarry. She describes an entire conversation between Harry and Severus without either one speaking a word, and in doing so she manages to portray Severus as apologetic, yet in character. It's delicately done, and indeed one of Icarus' themes seems to be the subtleties of communication as Ron learns to read Severus.

Intelligent, funny, charming, and really an original take on the Snape/Harry relationship. Highly recommended.