New Chapter for A Slant-Told Tale
A Slant-Told Tale
Squibstress162 Reviews | 162 Ratings, 0 Likes, 4 Favorites )
Before she was Professor McGonagall, she was Minerva Macnair. After an arranged marriage forces her into an impossible situation, Minerva does what she must to survive. When she makes a new life for herself, her secrets follow and threaten everything, including the only love she has ever found. The tale of a woman, her secrets, and how she keeps them.
Winner - 3rd Place, Best Drama-Angst WIP - Fall/Winter 2012 HP Fanfic Fanpoll Awards
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About Squibstress
Author
Squibstress
Member Since 2010 | 36 Stories | Favorited by 103 | 43 Reviews Written | 528 Review Responses
I'm a middle-aged, professional writer of non-fiction and would-be professional writer of fiction who also writes Harry Potter fanfiction just for fun.
I’m a proud member of the Harry Potter Old Lady Smut Brigade, which means I’m most interested in the older female characters in the Harry Potter saga, particularly Minerva McGonagall.
If I had received my Hogwarts letter back in nineteen-mumble-mumble, I would most likely have been sorted into Ravenclaw, or so everyone tells me, probably because I’m a geeky data-freak (my Real Life™ requires me to read piles of medical journal articles.) I, however, think I’d feel right at home in Hufflepuff too, so I consider myself a Ravenpuff.
The fics I write may contain adult themes, and I will always warn for non-con, graphic violence, bestiality, incest, or underage sex. I don't warn for homosexual relationships or sex, or for threesomes/moresomes, unless they contain one of the aforementioned elements.
Disclaimers: Anything from the Harry Potter universe belongs solely to its creator, J.K. Rowling, and her licensees. Original plot, characters, dialog, etc. are mine.
My stories are available for use under a Creative Commons attribution, non-commercial, share-alike license (CC-BY-NC-SA).
I have a blog: http://squibstress.wordpress.com/.
I'm also on LiveJournal and Twitter (@Squibstress).
I maintain a master list of (mostly Minerva-centric) recs at Diigo.
I am a proud member of the Harry Potter Old Lady Smut Brigade.
Reviews for A Slant-Told Tale
I love that Alastor's intentions are so good, even if the results of his investigations may be anything but.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, the road to Hell and all...
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, the road to Hell and all...
I'm really glad there was a reconciliation. That the worst emotions Albus felt was guilt at not loving his son was incredibly moving.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks. As I said before, I think he's a bit emotionally stunted--I think one has to be to make the kinds of decisions he's called on to make--although not detatched.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks. As I said before, I think he's a bit emotionally stunted--I think one has to be to make the kinds of decisions he's called on to make--although not detatched.
That was a rather difficult chapter. Does Minerva believe she deserves to be punished, or did she simply want the roughness? I still adore Alastor, mind.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I think it's up to the reader to interpret however he/she wishes. I don't think either of them intended for Minerva to actually be hurt. Alastor was certainly surprised at both of them, I think.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I think it's up to the reader to interpret however he/she wishes. I don't think either of them intended for Minerva to actually be hurt. Alastor was certainly surprised at both of them, I think.
My goodness, what a chapter! And that letter - gah!Whatever will happen to them next? What can come of all of this?
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
What indeed?
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
What indeed?
I love that he became invisible when his emotions were all over the place - you'd hinted at it previously, but this was a brilliant way of showing it without being heavy handed. Nice one!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks!
Well! It was only going to be a matter of time I suppose. Cool gift to have though, if a thoroughly unpleasant way to find out about it!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I've always thought it would be really great to be able to turn invisible at will, so I just had to include it!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I've always thought it would be really great to be able to turn invisible at will, so I just had to include it!
Well, they're very sweet together. It must be a nice change for Malcolm to have an adult male he can talk too.
As for the information he let slip about their time in France - that's just too sad.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I thought Malcolm could use a father-figure.Yes, as a mother, I cringe at the thought of a child witnessing all that nastiness (but not enough not to write it, LOL!)
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I thought Malcolm could use a father-figure.Yes, as a mother, I cringe at the thought of a child witnessing all that nastiness (but not enough not to write it, LOL!)
Again this chapter is just bursting at the seams with... stuff! I adore your Alastor. I just hope he doesn't dig too deeply.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks!Alastor has turned out to be one of my favorite characters to write.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks!Alastor has turned out to be one of my favorite characters to write.
That curd does sound rather good!
But Moody, noticing Malcolm's looks? Wanting to investigate Gerald's disappearance? Oh deary dear!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Moody notices a lot, I think. Even without the magical eye!(Ginger-lemon curd is awesome!)
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Moody notices a lot, I think. Even without the magical eye!(Ginger-lemon curd is awesome!)
Ooh, so much in this chapter!For some reason I really like the idea of Minerva and Moody together! And the revelation about Albus - is he gay in this story? I can't imagine he would have been so quick to agree to Minerva's plan had he felt no attraction to her. This is the nice thing about coming to a story so late, there's so much still waiting to be read :)
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I see Dumbledore as somewhat fluid in his sexuality; what some researchers say is that one can have differing sexual and affectional orientations, and I think that's accurate. So I see him as being sexually attracted to both sexes, but he tends to fall in love with men.So I think he did feel some attraction, which made it easier for him to agree to her proposition.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
I see Dumbledore as somewhat fluid in his sexuality; what some researchers say is that one can have differing sexual and affectional orientations, and I think that's accurate. So I see him as being sexually attracted to both sexes, but he tends to fall in love with men.So I think he did feel some attraction, which made it easier for him to agree to her proposition.
Liquorish spiders? Eek!
Sorry - great chapter - but I'm too squicked to remember what else I wanted to say!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yeah, that kind of squicked me too!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yeah, that kind of squicked me too!
I like Malcolm, and it's not often I say that about an OC. He's nicely fleshed out and seems like a very nice young man. I just hope his being at Hogwarts will only bring happiness...
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks. I rather like him, too.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks. I rather like him, too.
Hee! He might be a genius, but he can certainly put his foot in it at times.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Indeed. I see him as a genius who, like many geniuses, has some difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Indeed. I see him as a genius who, like many geniuses, has some difficulty with interpersonal relationships.
It does sound like the answer to all her prayers, doesn't it? of course, I'm now dying to know what's happened to Gerald - and what happened to her nose."And your son—I'm sorry, his name escapes me—" That I don't believe. He knows she's an Animagus and can remember the name of a relation of a previous colleague... I can't help but think he would be aware of Malcolm's name at the very least.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Dumbledore can be fairly canny. Of course, Malcolm was born after she left Hogwarts.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Dumbledore can be fairly canny. Of course, Malcolm was born after she left Hogwarts.
What a mess! Poor Gerald, poor Malcolm, poor Minerva. Poor Elgar, too! And Heloise! Why didn't the marriage terms protect her?
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
A tragedy for everyone.The charms regarding the marriage contract can be quietly recinded for the right price in the right hands.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
A tragedy for everyone.The charms regarding the marriage contract can be quietly recinded for the right price in the right hands.
The scene with her student was very sweet, but Minerva seems more isolated than ever. She needs to do more than simply survive, poor thing.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, still fairly isolated and trying to survive. Stay tuned...
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, still fairly isolated and trying to survive. Stay tuned...
I suppose that took a fair bit of bravery from Gerald, but he really isn't worthy of Minerva at all. her dad is ace though!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, I didn't want to make Gerald just bad--I think he's as trapped and isolated as Minerva. Pitiable in his own way.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, I didn't want to make Gerald just bad--I think he's as trapped and isolated as Minerva. Pitiable in his own way.
Thank goodness she didn't waste any time becoming an Animagus! I'm so glad she got herself out of that house - but what will come next?
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Being an Animagus is pretty useful, methinks. I'm glad she got out, too.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Being an Animagus is pretty useful, methinks. I'm glad she got out, too.
It's really interesting actually seeing a reaction to Gellert here. In canon he's just a faded threat - his defeat just another impressive anecdote from Albus' past. This fear of him makes him very real.Also, poor Minerva. I can understand her choice not to have further children, but she seems so alone.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
It's funny that there's not more about the Grindelwald/Dumbledore duel in fanfic. I wrote it in another story, and it was interesting to work out how it might have played out.Minerva is very isolated. I think that's the case in many severely patriarchical societies; women are isolated so they can be dominated.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
It's funny that there's not more about the Grindelwald/Dumbledore duel in fanfic. I wrote it in another story, and it was interesting to work out how it might have played out.Minerva is very isolated. I think that's the case in many severely patriarchical societies; women are isolated so they can be dominated.
My goodness, was that intentional? A baby Dumbledore? That was something I didn't expect!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Intentional indeed. Given the choice between a baby Macnair and a baby Dumbledore, I'd say she made the right choice.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Intentional indeed. Given the choice between a baby Macnair and a baby Dumbledore, I'd say she made the right choice.
As we know nothing of Minerva's children in canon - and only a little of the Macnairs - this chapter has me a bit worried about the poor girl!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Well, remember that her baby is half McGonagall!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Well, remember that her baby is half McGonagall!
I do not like the sound of these Mcnair men - not one bit!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, a nasty bunch all around, as I've conceived them. I kind of worked backwards from Walden Macnair being an animal killer in canon.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, a nasty bunch all around, as I've conceived them. I kind of worked backwards from Walden Macnair being an animal killer in canon.
"I don't suppose you would want to repeat this tomorrow evening, or the next?"
You really do have to admire her forthrightness here!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Forthright and fairly desperate!Thanks for reading and commenting!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Forthright and fairly desperate!Thanks for reading and commenting!
I love the idea of Minerva being considered sweet-natured! Poor, poor Gerald!
As for that potions...
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, Gerald's not much of a judge of character, I think. Minerva is many things, but sweet-natured isn't one of them, LOL!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Yes, Gerald's not much of a judge of character, I think. Minerva is many things, but sweet-natured isn't one of them, LOL!
It's impressive that she can be so calm - or icy - about it! She seems determined to make the best of this, though. An intriguing beginning!
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks. Yes, I think Minerva is a young lady who generally tries to make the best of things.
Response from Squibstress (Author of A Slant-Told Tale)
Thanks. Yes, I think Minerva is a young lady who generally tries to make the best of things.