Snape/Aberforth

Snape/Aberforth refers to the noncanonical cross-generational m/m slash pairing of Severus Snape and the minor character Aberforth Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. The pairing first started to appear after Deathly Hallows, which has a prominent role for Aberforth. Delphi's Goat Song, written for Merry Smutmas 2007, is one of the earliest stories to reach a wide readership. In 2014, it was the most common pairing in the HP Beholder exchange for characters who are not conventionally attractive. Overall, it remains a very rare pairing, although it is probably the most common pairing for Aberforth.
==Fannish Reaction, Tropes &c==
Albus Dumbledore's younger brother, Aberforth works as the landlord of the Hog's Head, a seedy pub in Hogsmeade, and is a little too fond of goats. Despite being estranged from Albus, Aberforth is a member of the Order of the Phoenix, which is often used as a device to allow him to interact with Snape, the Order's spy. Given Aberforth's profession, inebriation is sometimes a factor in getting the couple into bed.
Albus is frequently central to stories about the pairing, though often offstage. Delphi comments That's exactly what I love about this pairing - the idea that no matter what, Albus is always going to be in the middle of it. Whether it's Snape looking for a surrogate for the man he can't have, or the two getting together to grouse about Albus, or just their lives colliding as side players in the sage [sic] of Albus Dumbledore, there's always that ghost in the room.Thread started by soukup in delphi: DRABBLE: Three True Things About Severus Snape (Aberforth/Severus, General) (accessed 29 April 2015)
Although some fans find the pairing a little outré on first exposure, it doesn't tend to attract the criticism that Snape/Albus attracts. A possible explanation is that, despite the large difference in age, Aberforth has never been Snape's teacher or mentor, does not hold any position of authority over him and, on the surface, appears Snape's social inferior.
==Example Fanworks==
===Fanfiction===
*Goat Song by Delphi (2007). A widely recommended Deathly Hallows fix that probably popularised the pairing. Beth H writes Snape is wonderfully drawn in this story, and Aberforth - yes, that Aberforth - is amazing. Gruff and caring and no-nonsense.beth-h: Harry Potter Slash Recs. A-L (accessed 29 April 2015)
*Bumblethwacker, Broken Nose and the Wizard's Finger by Fluffyllama (2011). What Would Mrs Weasley Do writes ...the writing is sublime with a wonderful rhythm to it. The structure and pace are flawless. Truths and relationships build slowly and get woven in so that the reader understands more and more as the fic goes on.Crack Broom: Fic rec. Featured Pair: Aberforth/Severus. "Bumblethwacker, Broken Nose and..." by fluffyllama (accessed 29 April 2015)
*Bitter Going Down by Dueltastic (2012). Kelly Chambliss writes ...exceptional characterizations and mastery of the language. Here we see an Aberforth and Severus who are scarred and brittle men, but somehow, maybe out of sheer cussedness, they haven't let themselves be broken. Their story is a rough and unexpected romance, but a romance all the same.Crack Broom: FIC -- "Bitter Going Down" by Dueltastic (Severus/Aberforth) (accessed 29 April 2015)
*A Gramarye of Folk Magic by Delphi (2014). Magnetic Pole writes A story as slow-moving and reticent as Aberforth himself, with breathtaking attention to details.magnetic-pole: Insta!rec (accessed 28 April 2015)
*Elegy for a Goat by Perverse Idyll (2014). Centres on Aberforth's relationship with Albus. Kelly Chambliss writes It's poetic and painful and funny and contains insights that will cut to your core with the sharp precision of a Sectumsempra.kelly-chambliss: Moar Beholder Recs (accessed 29 April 2015)
===Fan Art===
*Barfly, Sweet Dreams, Roll in the Hay by Venturous (2010). Pencil
===Meta===
==Recs==
*Crack Broom recs
==References==
Category:Slash Pairings
Category:Harry Potter Relationships