Move Over, Draco/Giant Squid…

Dec 27, 2008

Posted by: abandonedboyjon

Uncategorized

size=”3″>I’m sorry I haven’t updated in a month. New Year’s Resolution #1: Update blog more. And by virtue of the craziness of the holidays being over, I’m sure that’s one I’ll be able to keep. Now, on to the blog.

size=”3″>It’s sort of a running joke in the Potter fandom that any ship goes. For any combination of characters, you can usually find at least a few shippers lurking around the internet. And having seen my fair share of funny, wacky, or improbable ships (Draco/Giant Squid¦), it takes a bit more than a difference in species, age, or mortality (as in one’s dead, one’s not) to surprise me. But a few months ago, you could color me slightly taken aback when I ran across some fan art featuring NextGen characters Teddy Lupin and James Sirius Potter.

size=”3″>Teddy Lupin, the product of Remus and Tonks’ short but eventful marriage, is a Metamorphmagi who has the distinction of being the only character of the next generation to have a canon romance in his relationship with Victoire Weasley, a ship that is popular in its own right. Teddy and Victoire are caught making out at King’s Cross by James, Harry’s eldest, and it is that brief interaction that has sparked the imaginations of a few Potter fans. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Teddy could be as much as 7 years older than James. Given that fact, I myself expected to see a few not-so-innocent fan works. I did find quite a bit of art where James’ age was questionable, but for the most part, Teddy/James fanfiction features a romance that has blossomed after James has come of age. Furthermore, writers and artists have not shied away from the early years, but usually write about a deep connection between friends, something that, given time, could naturally blossom into something more. For those of you who are fans of Twilight, it reminded me a lot of Renesmee and Jacob’s relationship in Breaking Dawn. For those of you who are not fans of Twilight, this is a relationship between a half-vampire child and the werewolf who has imprinted (sort of like finding your soulmate, but more mystical) on her. In that series, if the subject of the imprinting is many years a werewolf’s junior, then during the subject’s childhood, the relationship is innocent and the werewolf is a caretaker and a friend, nothing more.

size=”3″>It’s no shock to me that fanfiction writers are drawn to writing stories about Teddy Lupin. It’s sort of like writing about an alternate universe Harry. Both were orphaned as babies and both had parents in high ranking in the anti-Voldemort movement. But unlike Harry, whose scar marked him, inescapably, from birth, Teddy can change his appearance at will in the blink of an eye. The premise offers an opportunity to essentially explore Harry’s situation and world further by changing a few small story facts.

size=”3″>I think the other pull to writing these stories is that Teddy/James can be written as a new-aged Harry/Ron. One of the few things we know about James is that he shares certain personality traits with Ron. Add that to the Teddy-Harry similarities and you’ve got a new twist on an old favorite. You get a touch of this in “The Rules of Being a Godson” by Copperbadge. Now, I don’t really read fanfiction, mostly because the majority of fics are not very good, or grammatically correct, which bothers me. But I have to appreciate and recommend this story for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the story is accompanied by some awesome artwork (by artist “elaboration”), such as this one. Two, the story is interesting and emotionally complicated even before the relationship turns sexual. And three, it features what I like to call “real” Hogwarts as opposed to “naughty” Hogwarts. The boarding school world is believable and real as opposed to totally ridiculous. Plus, it’s written well, thank God.

size=”3″>Now for some fanart treats! (Warning: some of these might be considered a bit risqué ’ but many are found in the Leaky Galleries, so they’re PG-13). The cool thing about this fanart is these characters can pretty much look however the artist sees fit. Personally, I picture James as Harry without glasses, which seems to be a popular look for him:

size=”3″>Teddy and James embrace. [aurora dawn]

size=”3″>By the Quidditch pitch. [jeoline]

size=”3″>The coolest kids at Hogwarts. [jeoline]

size=”3″>The new Marauders. [julvett]

size=”3″>James wants a hug. [macavity]

size=”3″>Two redheads. [polymorphic girl]

size=”3″>A classic slash pose. [thanfiction]

And here’s of Teddy solo. It’s kind of indescribable, but I love it. [draykonis]

size=”3″>See you next time (which will be soon!)

size=”3″>-Jon





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