The Proof of the Pudding
nata7 Reviews | 7.14/10 (7 Ratings, 0 Likes, 0 Favorites )
In the time of joy, one young recruit is pushed too far.
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About nata
Author
nata
Member Since 2006 | 8 Stories | Favorited by 6 | 436 Reviews Written | 218 Review Responses
Slytherin is my house by choice, no matter the Sorting Hat's opinion.
Central European. Mother. Scholar. Published author (one story as of January 2010, but, hey, it counts!), entirely thanks to Southern.
My stories have been Featured here at TPP:
- February 2010: The Proof of the Pudding
- April 2007: Cleared of the Murder
Reviews for The Proof of the Pudding
Hi there,
I thought I’d check out my competition for March Writing Madness. ;-)
Normally, this would never be a pairing I’d read (I’m not really into slash), but since it’s only rated pg-13 I thought I’d give it a try, and I’m happy that I did. I really enjoyed reading your fic. We never find out in canon why Regulus chose to betray the Dark Lord, and your version was very convincing and realistic. I can only imagine how tough being a young Death Eater must have been.
I really liked all those hints about what Regulus us about to do, like when he said that he’s going on a mission with a house-elf. I also think it’s really fitting that Regulus has such a temper and can’t take the mobbing of his superiors. It seems to be a family trait. Mrs. Black certainly wasn’t known for being even tempered, and from what we saw of Sirius as a youth, he also had a problem with respecting his superiors.
I think this is the first time I’ve ever read a story with a young Death Eater Snape before he switches sides, but I have to say I really like his voice in this. His personality is already evident, yet he sounds somehow younger and perhaps just a little less jaded.
Also, I loved the title and the mirror’s comment. Regulus’ last lines gave me shills. He’s going to be doomed and he knows it, yet we know that he’s still going to betray Voldemort. Your words capture that moment very vividly.
Anyway, I’ve really enjoyed reading your story. Good luck for Sunday. 
Kalina
Response from nata (Author of The Proof of the Pudding)
Hi Kalina,So we have just finished. How do you feel? I feel accomplished and will loose to you with light heart. I'm almost 2000 words further than I have been.Thank you for giving the story a try. I don't read slash either, and wouldn't dream of writing it. Yet, here it is, because my prompt asked for slash. I'm glad you liked the story. My beta, Cassandra7, has a hand in all the things that you pointed out. She made me revisit motivation of my characters, their personalities and role in plot in such a detail that the story works well now. The challenging writing experience turned it into something I love the most.
Response from kalina_blue (Reviewer)
Lol, I think I might have been an hour behind you. Damn change to summertime getting me all confused. But I do feel accomplished, too. Although my fingers hurt. :)
What an excellent analogy to Muggle armies! Some can stand it, some shrug it off, some learn it... But some just can't cope. They take desperate actions, just like RAB here. Also the 'general', A.M. is ver genuinely not-caring the least bit. However, when I visited my penpal in London in the 1970ies, they actually did NOT have a single faucet for warm water in a fairly new house. They filled the sink or a beaker! They also had a greenish, Y-shaped rubber hose device of 1 yard diameter. With two legs pushed over the 2 separate faucets of the tub one got a meagre shower out of the third leg. This surely is how I see Spinner's End equipped.
Response from nata (Author of The Proof of the Pudding)
I'm flattered that you recognise the analogy and view it as possible. Regulus must have had a reason for his decision, and I honour him for going through with it.The house you describe is awakening. All my life I lived believing that the communism era in my part of the world made us very much behind in the late 1980s when it ended. Perhaps it was less pronounced than we thought.
What a great insight into the motivation for Regulus. They are truly a nasty bunch. He may find his fate a blessing with the alternative being spending years putting up with this crew. I don't know what took me so long to read this, but I am so glad I did!
Response from nata (Author of The Proof of the Pudding)
Your choice to read and review has made my day brighter in turn. Thank you.I tried to picture DEs as a primarily military organisation with rough humour. We hardly know anything about them from canon, but there must be appeal in the group for a certain kind of people. And some people would find harassment a good game. They still do out there, and young recruits still sometimes react extremely to that pressure.
Oh and we all know exactly what Regulus has planned and now we know why. Rab is a berk, isn't he?
Response from nata (Author of The Proof of the Pudding)
It is sad that Regulus would give up his life for a bit of pudding, but it was really just the last straw. Death Eaters are very similar to some sections of regular army. The public learns about some of the things that happen there, yet there are still many people willing to join. Most of them for noble reasons.
Mmn... I love the depiction of the cruel & twisted 'humour' and bullying from Rabastan & others; Lucis' *advice*, but most of all, love your Regulus and Severus... and the ending just shoots through one... poignant and powerful... ah, Regulus...
Beuatiful work!
Response from nagandsev (Reviewer)
Sorry for all of my spelling mistakes - typing too fast, bad keyboard & other excuses, excuses... Just very powerful characterisations & relationships carried over in a spilt-second - wonderful!
Response from nata (Author of The Proof of the Pudding)
Thank you SO much for coming over here and reading. This is IMO the best story I've ever written and it thrils me if people read it and like it. Thank you!Don't worry about spelling. The message warms my heart.
Oh, I'm thrilled to see your fic as a 'featured story' nata!!Congratulations!You know how much I enjoyed it when I first read it!Bravo, my dear! xoxo
Response from nata (Author of The Proof of the Pudding)
*gasp*Featured? Me? Where?*clicks madly to check*Indeed. Wow! Thank, OJ, for pointing it out for me. I, too, think that this is the best I have ever written.
So Regulus will die, and break Severus' heart, all over the pride of a Death Eater, and Rabastan has so little to be proud of. As I recall no one knew what happened to Regulus, except perhaps Severus he would have made it his business to find out what happened to his lover. The last few lines were chilling.
Response from nata (Author of The Proof of the Pudding)
You're spot on. JKR thought Severus's motivation was Lily, whereas in fact, Regulus drove his resolve. When Regulus tried and failed, Severus vouched to finish Voldemort off. Thank you for reading and reviewing.