All Ginny wants is to get the upper hand just once with drool-worthy hunk of man candy and callous playboy Draco Malfoy before he moves on to his next careless conquest. So how did this simple plan lead to time travel, nefarious plots involving the most infamous whorehouse in the wizarding world, and the teenaged Draco’s achingly sweet, chocolate-flavored kisses? Even Draco Malfoy was innocent once, as Ginny learns all too well…Category: Long and Completed
Chapter ONE HUNDRED EIGHTEEN Quote of the Day:
THE LAST CHAPTER
The minutes ticked by, long enough for Ginny to know that against all reason, all common sense, she still wanted impossible things from him. But she would leave. Even after today, even when her body ached from him and for him, when she could feel that he had begun to shape her to him, she would turn around and leave him. I will, I will, she thought.
“You don’t understand,” said Draco.
“Oh?” Ginny said stiffly. “At least he hadn’t touched her, she thought. She would not be able to find the strength to pull herself away from him, and she knew it.
Uh-oh. I had a feeling this wasn't going to go well, and I see I was right. Poor, poor Ginny. I can just imagine how utterly heartbreaking it would be to be so close to him yet have him treat her like Astoria. And now she's lost in the portal. I do wonder if she will meet up with Lucius again - that would certainly be interesting while she is in Astoria's body, but in a way I kind of hope Draco just goes after her and all is resolved.
Still curious to know about this ritual everyone has been talking about, and what danger it presents to the female taking part. Theo obviously doesn't want Astoria to be a part of it, but it seems like they're all quite resigned to it as well - except Ginny, of course, who has no idea what they're going on about.
I have to say, this was one chapter I wished would keep going. I'm completely hooked and want to know what will happen next.
Author's Response: This was a very difficult chapter for Ginny, no doubt about it. She knows that Draco cares for her as herself, but he still can't seem to see who she really is. (Even harder than my emergency visit to the dentist today... but luckily I get to rest at home and read reviews now... ;) You do wonder about the most INTERESTING things. (nudge nudge hint hint) About that ritual... I can't explain what it is right now. I'll just say that the ritual would only be dangerous to some women who might take part in it, but not for others. (Astoria never planned for Theo to know that she'd been considering it, and he instantly knew that she was one who shouldn't even be thinking about it. He caught her reading a parchment that contained the information.) More soon...
Mwhahaa, I was right. I knew there was only one way the vows could both be fulfilled. I have to say, I actually don't care if Draco and Ginny do shag while Ginny is in Astoria's body. Eventually Draco would realise who he is really shagging and all would be well. Or, at least, as well as it could be.
Look forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response: Well, you really can't be sure of *anything* around here... but let's just say that it certainly seems that way right now. It'll all come clear very, very soon. ;)
Poor, poor Ginny. I don't envy her at all. It would be incredibly hard to have Draco looking at her and saying those things with such contempt, yet knowing how much she cares about him and wants him. I do hope something can be resolved.
Author's Response: I agree-- Ginny's having a very hard time here, I think. She can't help responding to Draco even as he desperately fights his own response to her. But a LOT of things are coming up in the next chapter, let's just say...
Oh, good. I'm so glad he was able to see through the charm before things got really heated. I know I said I didn't care before, but the way you wrote Ginny and Draco's responses certainly made me care. Those two . . . I really do feel very sorry for them. It's like they're fated to be stuck in a never-ending cycle of unfulfilled desire.
Look forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response: Yes. Now, come on... this HAD to happen! ;) And I'm so glad that you ended up caring, because really, Ginny did too. I think she believed that she'd be able to go through with it as Astoria, and she realized that she just couldn't. But as for Draco and Ginny being fated for the never-ending cycle of unfulfillment... ahem... something tells me that it just might be reaching its end pretty soon. ;)
//All I know is that I would rather have fifteen minutes’ conversation with you on the most trivial subject than a lifetime of infinitely varied physical pleasure with the most skilled companions at the Crystal Palace. Do you understand me?”// - *sighs happily* If that's not love I don't know what is.
Oh, I loved this chapter! Definitely one of my favourites. I'm so happy that everything is coming together and actually working. At least I hope it is. I don't want Draco to be down-playing the dangers to himself for stupid noble reasons. This ritual has to work!
It was great to get a bit more clarification about everything. I still feel like much is being hidden, but I do feel like things are beginning to really get moving, and that something pretty dramatic is going to happen. Somehow, I don't think AStoria and Lucius are going to give up that easily, and I haven't forgotten about Harry either. I do wonder where this is all going to lead.
Author's Response: Thanks! I just loved that line from Draco too. That's what I found out he said, and... (glances furtively around for that same old annoying white van filled with straitjackets. :P) Anyway. I don't know if I would say that Draco is exactly behaving that way. It becomes clear in the next chapter, and I think that it does make sense. None of the characters who hold grudges have forgotten anything, but for the next couple of chapters, it's all going to be about the D/G. In fact.. yes... ahem... well, let's just say that when it comes to that... (begins busily revising the R-rated versions, for those who prefer such things. ;)
Yay, thank you so much for sending me the toned down version. I was very happy with the edits and didn't squick once, so you did an excellent job!
This chapter was lovely. I particularly liked this line: He didn’t overwhelm her or devour her, as he had in the past. He allowed her to explore him. - Before it's been all about lust, or rather he's allowed his lust and desire to possess to dominate. It was nice to see him respect her and be aware of her needs - beyond the simply desire to give pleasure - and I do believe he will keep his promise and not hurt her. Or at least I hope he won't hurt her. It would be a shame for her first time to be ruined, but I think Draco will pull through.
Brilliant, brilliant chapter. You have such a gift for drawing me in and making me want to believe in the characters. I always feel so connected to Draco and Ginny, and that's not always easy for me.
Author's Response: Yay for no squicking! :) I hope it'll work as well for the next couple of chapters, because... um... there's going to be a lot more to edit. ;) I'll also have to put some thought into *how* to edit it so to avoid squickiness, and yet not take out so much of the narrative itself that it just doesn't make sense, because what actually happens between them in that way really drives the plot here. (consults Miss Manners' Guide to Finicky Non-Squickiness.)
Now, obviously I'm not going to give anything AWAY in any specific sense, but I love your thoughts here. It's very hard to have a balance for what happens in this situation, considering everything that their relationship has been. What happens between them has to reflect not only where they are now but also the way they got here and how it's all evolving into where they're going next. And now that this doesn't make any sense at all... (runs away snickering) More soon. :)
Draco's deepest, darkest secret is accidentally revealed to the world. A hissy fit ensues.Category: Completed Short Stories
Oh, this was hilarious! Draco reminded me very much of Howl from Howl's Moving Castle (a book I absolutely adore), when his hair is turned ginger. Ooo, now I feel like reading that.
Ahem. Anyway, I enjoyed this little one-shot very much. It was delightfully simple and fun. ^_^
Ginny has always enjoyed doing things just to be contrary.Category: Completed Short Stories
When Ginny Weasley was six years old, she freed a genie from a bottle.Category: Completed Short Stories
Aww, this was wonderful! I love fairy tales, and this took me right back to my old romantic days as a girl -- especially Ginny trying to test whether she had found her fairy tale or not (loved the bit about the peas).
I love the fact that the genie doesn't fit the mould we normally expect, and, of course, the Prince Charming living in the castle is not really a Prince Charming at all, but a crazy man who wants to feed her to his dragon.
A very fun read. I enjoyed it a lot.
Author's Response: Thank you! The bit about the peas was one of my favorite details, so I'm glad you liked it too. It was lots of fun to turn the popular fairy tale ideas on their heads--at least a little! :)
Four years, five months and twenty-three days. Ginny feels the weight of every minute with no regrets because each second has dragged her that much closer to Draco Malfoy.Category: Long and Completed
You know that moment when time stands still and you’re suspended above everything, catching all the angles? And somehow you know this here, this now matters?
Yes.
Oh, wow. This is amazing. I love the realism of this, and the characters are beautifully depicted in their cynical, bitter little way. Your descriptions are also very powerful, which is always a plus for me.
Very nice. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you liked the realism. I tried to make them as much like regular people as I could. :)
Perfect.
This was amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Ginny wants a change of pace. Draco is gifted with a magic lamp. Who he finds inside is the last person he’d ever expect. Originally written for the D/G Fic Exchange on LiveJournal.Category: Works in Progress
This sounds promising. I love the whole tone of it. Very funny. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Hehe, I'm loving this story. I hope there's lots of chapters. This sounds like it's going to be a fun one.
Mmm, Ginny's breakfast sounds yum. I want my own personal genie.
Look forward to the next chapter.
A charity ball, a hostage situation, an attraction to Draco Malfoy: this is not the evening that Ginny Weasley was expecting.Category: Long and Completed
Hahaha! This was great! A very fun read. I particularly loved the part about the Death Star. The Star Wars nerd in me was pleased.
Draco married Astoria, but on their wedding night at the Malfoys’ private island off the coast of the South of France, he dreams only of Ginny. How much fun will that honeymoon be? Don’t freak out! It’s all going to be okay. Take deep breaths… oh, just read it. ;) A three-shot companion piece to Draco’s Dangerous Dilemma, it takes place during the events of Chapter 26.Category: Completed Short Stories
From Chapter Three:
“You simply don’t understand,” Draco told Ginny. “And you might be a bit more appreciative of the fact that I made that sacrifice for you. I can assure you that seeing Astoria in a white dress and not bursting into laughter immediately was a sacrifice indeed. Then, when I was forced to share air space with that skinny slag in her lingerie-- ouch! What did you do that for?” He snatched his hand back. She’d scratched her nails down his skin.
“You seeing Astoria in lingerie,” Ginny said passionately. “That’s why.”
“It’s not as if I liked it!” Draco shuddered.
Thought it was about time I read this. I don't know why, but I actually feel really sorry for Astoria in this companion fic -- much more so than I have ever done in the actual fic. Draco's pain was very real and nicely written, and I see we got to learn quite a bit more about his dilemma than you've yet revealed in the actual fic. Very interesting . . .
Wow! What a chapter! I'm a bit speechless right now, but that was amazing!
Perfect ending. I really enjoyed this. It was a good way for me to pass what was going to be some very tedious hours.
Author's Response: Thank you! I really felt that Draco wanted to express his POV, and he doesn't get a chance to do it in DDD because it's all from Ginny's perspective. So there it is (at that point, anyway. ;) Of course, we don't know what's going on in his head by THIS point in the fic...
When Lord Voldemort gives an order, no one dares defy him. So when he orders Draco to reform one of the biggest blood traitors, Draco has no choice but to follow through, even if it means risking his heart in the process.Category: Works in Progress
Aw, I liked this chapter. Some difficult moments for the characters, but then the darker stuff was balanced by the very sweet glimpses of a blossoming romance. I love that they held hands and that Draco understood what he was missing. Also like the costume: interesting choice, but fitting also.
Can I just say that I am so glad you made it very clear that Lucius has never and would never raise a hand (or wand) against his family. Granted, in some stories the abuse does work, but I get annoyed when people make Lucius out to be an abusive father/husband just because he is a Death Eater. The world is not black and white, and someone who kills and follows a megalomaniac like Voldemort doesn't necessarily have to be completely cruel and horrid. Rant over.
Anyway, this was a lovely chapter. I look forward to seeing how the dance goes.
Author's Response: Rant loved! I agree wholeheartedly! The dance shows us a lot of new things. It was my way to introduce the single most important element to the story. Thanks for your review, doll!
Draco liked to think that every life he took had meaning. Not the life itself, but the act of taking it. Every time he took a life, there was a good reason for it, and reasons meant something to him
I really appreciated that line. I can handle a dark!Draco, but it makes it so much easier to like him if you can at least understand why he does cruel things. I like the fact he will only kill if he thinks he has a reason to do so.
This chapter was particularly good. I felt that we got to understand a bit more about the characters, and I thought the way you dealt with Ginny's PTSD was very real. I've gone through that before - the memory loss and then suddenly rediscovering those memories much later - and it's horrible and really does leave you so shaken. I'm glad Ginny has Draco to turn to.
Author's Response: Ginny's PTSD feels real because I base it off mine. It was very hard to write some chapters, and Anise had to literally coach me through it. I would shut down and curl into a ball and cry while writing some parts, but it was important that I wrote it. This is a real thing. She has to have it after what she went through. You will see more of it the further in you go.
Thanks again for your kind words. I try hard to give a glimpse into the psyche of Draco, in hopes the reader connects. It's good to know I have done well.
What a fascinating chapter. I can't wait to get back into this story properly and certainly plan to once in my new house.
Draco is a complex character and one that I feel is holding back a lot more (even from the readers) than he lets on. I like the fact he is so in control, though. He knows what he has to do to be a good Death Eater, but I think that might cause a bit of complications for him later on. Especially if he allows those feelings for Ginny to blossom a bit more.
I said before that I loved your use of the books. It brings a whole new level to this story and is one that, surprisingly, isn't used very often. I enjoyed the glimpse of Narcissa's 'teenage' self, and am glad you are not shying away from showing the human lives behind the Death Eater masks. Even people who appear to be 'evil' still have feelings and can love.
Author's Response: We see a lot of Draco's character in the future chapters. He is quite complex. I am glad you liked the chapter and took the time to review. It made my night so much better.
Good premise. I like the darkness of this, and I think you've set Draco up as a good, solid character.
I have to admit, the first few paragraphs really threw me off. I'm not a fan of people bringing the canon books (or JKR) into their fanfiction. That being said, your writing was enough to encourage me to keep reading.
The only real bone I have to pick with this is that some things could be a bit more subtly done. Your bit about Stockholm Syndrome, for example, seemed a bit too obvious, if that makes sense. It just didn't sound like something someone would say.
Criticisms aside, I like what you've set up here, and I look forward to reading your next chapter.
Author's Response: Thank you for your review and your critique. Actually, the Stockholm Syndrome will have NOTHING to do with this story. It was said in desperation to convince Draco to "purchase" Ginevra.
I'm glad you kept reading, as I know a LOT of people have a problem with bringing canon into fanon.
Thank you once again.
Interesting. Very interesting. So we already see that Draco has a soft side. Was Lia an old love of his? And Kora, I assume, was her sister? I'll be curious to see how this plays out.
Author's Response: Nooo, Lia was NOT Draco's love in any way. Neither was/is Kora. I will say about Lia is, she was a Muggle. *hint hint hint*
I found this chapter a bit confusing in terms of how it flowed together, but that could be because I have some idiot kid playing with a ball right outside my window, distracting me with urges to strangle the little runt.
Anger issues aside, I like how you're writing Voldemort. He's sadistic and controlled, which is the only way to write him, I think. I'm still finding it difficult to understand Draco, but then I am trying to pick up this story again after months of not reading it.
Author's Response: We see more into Draco's mind as time passes. I'm glad that you are trying to read it again! But if anything confuses you, don't hesitate to tell me. I want to be able to do better in the future.
Poor Ginny doesn't even realise what she's getting herself into. Knowledge, after all, is power, but it can be so easily warped. Voldemort and Draco are being very crafty giving her those particular books.