Draco Malfoy has proposed six times to Ginevra Weasley. How did it get to this, and what will happen the seventh time?Category: Long and Completed
Wow. What a chapter. I can understand why Ginny is behaving the way she is, but I've never particularly liked females who do that, so I have to say she irritated me quite a bit in this chapter. Which doesn't mean your writing is bad, I must stress, just that I personally don't enjoy the girls who cling to exes and get jealous, etc, etc.
That being said, I'm not surprised why Ginny refused that proposal. He was drunk and was using an old ring. Awful.
Author's Response: Thank you. And I can understand your reaction to Ginny. I think she even hates herself for behaving that way. Sometimes we don't know how much we have healed or moved on until we are tested, and she didn't exactly ace this test. And Draco was definitely awful as well. Thanks again. I always enjoy your feedback.
Poor Ginny. That is a devastating realisation - knowing there's a chance you can't have children. And while I understand why she ran, poor Draco is really going to suffer for her lapse of explanation.
I have to say that my favourite part of this chapter was seeing Draco with Rose. I do love seeing him with children.
Author's Response: It's a terrible ending, I know. But there's only one more to go! And I love Draco with Rose, too. I just couldn't resist making him her favourite uncle. :) Thanks for the review!
I like the fluffy ending!
This was a very rollercoaster-like fic in terms of emotions and such. I admit I struggled with this in parts, but you were just being true to your characters, and I do respect that. I'm glad they were able to work things out to get their happy ending. ^_^
Author's Response: Thank you. I know that you really were having a hard time with Ginny, so I'm glad you stuck it out and were able to enjoy the happy ending. I always wanted it to end this way, but there was a time I wasn't sure if it was going to be. I am a sucker for the fluff so that won out. :) Thanks for all your reviews.
With Hogwarts under the control of the Death Eaters and Voldemort plaguing her dreams, Ginny Weasley is starting to go under. Until she finds a place where she can get away, and someone who makes her doubt everything she has ever known.Category: Works in Progress
Interesting beginning. I do wonder what the dream with Voldemort actually means. Is he real and somehow invading her mind, or is this a lingering remnant of the shadow that was Tom Riddle who lived in her mind?
I'll be curious to see where you take this.
Draco's failing at the mission given to him by the Dark Lord, his relationship with Pansy is strained, and Snape won't stop asking questions. He needs help desperately, but when he receives it, he's drawn into more intrigue than he bargained for. His saviour may need some saving herself.Category: Long and Completed
Oh! Oh! Oh! This is amazing!!! You had me glued to the words from the first sentence, and my interest only became more caught as I read on.
I'll admit, I'm not a huge fan of Hogwarts era fics, especially when it's based on HBP events. I find they just repeat the same old things and hardly ever capture the real stress and fear of Draco's situation. But this is something special! Your Draco is unique while still strongly resembling his canon counterpart. I believe his feelings and love the fact you emphasised just how terrifying and draining his situation is without being exhaustive with explanations. That's the sign of a true writer.
I also like your Ginny. Often, people do try to write her in this way when paired with HBP!Draco, but yours doesn't have that irritating quality where I just feel like I'm reading about a busy-body Gryffindor. This Ginny is warm and caring, but she's not stupid. I don't think she 'cares' about Draco in a romantic way or even a friendly way. The way I see it, she's just a girl who's looking out for a fellow student because Draco is obviously driving himself to the bone. That is definitely refreshing.
In case you haven't realised, I really, really enjoyed this chapter. Will definitely be looking out for your next update! ^_^
Author's Response: Wow, I'm so pleased you liked it considering it's usually not your thing. Thanks for taking a chance on it! I promise not to tarry in HBP land. Draco really is at the end of his rope here, one step away from crying hopelessly in Myrtle's bathroom (and really, who knows how long he'd been doing that before Harry caught him?). I'm so gratified to hear that Ginny comes off the way she does. These impressions you got could be a good thing to keep in mind as we sink further into Draco's POV.
Now I'm going to try to avoid saying something dorky about how cool it is to be getting a review from you....
I was so excited when I saw this update! Despite the fact I'm nearly dead with tiredness, I figured I would read and review now, so I apologise if this is filled with typos and is rambly.
I love, love your beginning! Again, you immediately got me hooked into the story. I also like the fact you keep using the imagery of 'burning', and Draco thinking he is seeing fire, but it is actually Ginny's hair. It's a nice little motif.
The shower scene cracked me up -- that scream, hehe. I can just imagine how mortified Draco would be to walk out and see Ginny sitting there. And I have to say, I LOVE the fact you didn't make him all cocky and unflappable, as so many authors do in those situations. He's a teenager; I seriously doubt he'd be feeling confident after just walking out of a shower in a towel and discovering a girl waiting for him. Oh, and I love the fact that Ginny is the one who isn't bothered and just tells him to get dressed. It speaks volumes for how little she cares about his appearance, which I think is fitting. Having lots of older brothers, I doubt she'd be much embarassed by the male body.
I seem to be saying this a lot, but I love the way you dealt with the following conversation. You really nail the emotions in this scene. I fully believe your Draco; he's very 'real' and raw, without going overboard. I think you're also doing nicely with bringing Ginny into his life. I like the fact it is just her compassion which prompts her to help him -- compassion created from her own experience as a young girl being controlled by Voldemort and trying to keep her actions secret.
I'm very curious about this 'magic'. I find your word choice for Ginny interesting -- the fact you describe her as an immortal, and the divine nature of her grace. Judging from your writing, I don't think you're the type to throw these descriptions around at random, which makes me wonder if she actually does have a unique kind of magic or purpose, or if it really is just Draco finding an intense relief in finally having someone to share his burdens with.
I enjoyed the scene with Pansy. So often people make Pansy out to be a twit, and I'm glad you didn't. I like a strong Pansy, and you really captured her perfectly in my mind. I like that Draco doesn't act like a total arse to her either; he's been acting like one enough by avoiding her, so there's no need to be any more rude. I don't see him as being the type to be disrespectful to girls, anyway.
Aww, I loved that last scene. Normally I'd be doing my '"Noooo, you're going too fast!" complaint, but this didn't feel rushed at all. Your Ginny is so matter-of-fact about everything and so unromantic that it doesn't put me off. And you write Draco so well! Most of the time I cringe when reading an emotional Draco, but this was truly heartbreaking, and without being over the top. I could really feel it, and the image of him trying to hold back his tears and sobs, then being held by Ginny, is so beautiful and tragic, in that completely innocent and human way. Your writing never ceases to amaze me! I'm definitely adding this one to favourites!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I crack myself up with the shower scene, too. Poor Draco. The exchange in the locker room was one of those scenes that I just couldn't force my way through believably no matter how hard I tried; I had to put it away for a while and then one day the current framing just popped into my head and I ran with it. Ginny's not a literal immortal here. You have no idea how happy your comments about her make me! They're just so dead-on to what I was going for. And if Draco's ringing true, that's great news. He's got so many facets - The Snarker, The Ice Prince, The Playboy - and I love them all (don't we all?), but I confess to a special fondness for stripped-down, raw Draco. After seeing so much Pansy bashing in D/G fics I developed a soft spot for her. Letting her dump Draco whenever she wants is part of my reparations package!
I have to admit, I have my reservations about this chapter. You skipped a lot in the development of their relationship, and that did make me feel it was a bit too rushed.
Nitpicking aside, I do wonder why Ginny went crazy while having sex with Draco. Was it something Tom did? And what did she mean by Harry? There is definitely something going on here, and I really, really want to know what.
I liked the fact that this time it wasn't her hair he saw burning, but real fire. But damn, that stuff is dangerous. Ginny must have been very upset.
And now I see we are up to you 'real' story. HBP is done and dusted, and I do wonder what you have in store for us. I wait with bated breath for your next update.
Author's Response: Yes, I skipped forward here for a couple of reasons, the most obvious being that there really wasn't much development to speak of until this scene, just Draco saying "blah blah wizard emergency blah" and Ginny patting him on the head and giving him more potions - been there, seen that. I'd hoped the beginning of the chapter would give off a "more of the same" vibe but I guess it wasn't particularly effective juxtaposed against the, uh, abrupt change in their relationship. :/ On the other hand, if you're saying, "What? But the sex came out of nowhere," then I heartily agree with you! And Draco's right with you wanting to get to the bottom of what the heck just happened. At least you know who Tom Riddle is! The hair-fire connection was part of the original story concept. Actually, fun fact, the original story idea ended on that cheap narrative trick with the Fiendfyre. I prefer the new and improved version.
//Blind obedience had given him a sort of peace and numbed his anxieties, and five minutes in this room had torn his fragile calm to shreds.//
I really loved this line. Simply beautiful.
This was an interesting chapter. I'm enjoying seeing the way the characters are developing, but I admit that Ginny is still eluding me, and I think that may be intentional on your part. I do wonder what she is playing it, trying to act like the 'hurt' one when she and Draco both know she just stormed out of that room and almost killed him. I think Ginny has quite a bit of explaining to do.
Author's Response: *blush* Thank you! I don't typically consider myself to be a quotable writer. Yes, Ginny has been inscrutable on purpose and I know that makes her seem inconsistent, to say the least (you've been very patient). Why should Draco always get to be the mysterious one? ;) She is pretty self-righteous here, all things considered. She has loads of explaining to do, pages and pages of it.
Okay, I have to say I really love how abrupt the conversation between Pansy and Draco is at the beginning. Which might sound weird, but it seems very fitting for their relationship. I also get the sense from just that small scene that all of the Slytherin children are, in a way, playing an act. Pansy has to take delight in cursing Neville because that's what's expected. The others have to 'whoop' with humour because who really wants to be the person who is 'weak' and shows sympathy. They're all terrified, though of course you would have your Rogers (if you've read Lord of the Flies, you'd know what I mean).
I find it fascinating the way the tables have completely turned for Draco and Ginny. Before, he was the one always unable to keep himself together, to stay calm. And while he is still struggling with his own things, you can see that he is dealing with this much better than Ginny.
I'm glad they were able to come to some sort of truce, though I really am finding it difficult to understand Ginny. She's quite 'switchy'. I mean, she was really, really angry at Draco, enough to cast friendfyre at him, and now she's just going to give in that easily and talk? I'm sure she has her reasons, but it just makes her a difficult character to get my head around.
Author's Response: Ah, bullying. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, but these kids don't have absolute power - even the Slytherins are subject to the capriciousness of the Carrows' regime, and I'm sure that Snape doesn't look like a bastion of stability at this point. Then there's that whole feedforward loop where relief that you aren't the bullied one causes you to positively reinforce the bully's behaviour. The role reversal is one of my favourite things about this story. A superficially supportive administration and no insane expectations have done much to calm Draco down. Like you pointed out, Ginny's having a hard time dealing with things, making her look even more inconsistent than she already is (part of her weirdness in this chap was her trying to misdirect Draco). From a purely strategic standpoint, it's in her best interests to meet with him - he still has that element of blackmail working in his favour.
I love this chapter! I think it is my favourite so far. You really do have a wonderful way of writing Draco, and you're making me increasingly curious about what the heck Ginny is really up to. Just what did she and the others try to do by breaking into Snape's office?
I'm also really, really appreciating that Pansy has a backbone and is not some airheaded twit. You can tell that this girl is intelligent and knows how she should behave to save her skin. I like the fact they have a truly Slytherin relationship going on. They're not close friends, not by a long shot, but she wants to help in her small way, even if only to tell him to stay clear of Ginny (which I actually think is advice he should probably listen to. That Ginny is a sneaky one).
Look forward to the next chapter. ^_^
Author's Response: DA members breaking into Snape's office during DH? What could they possibly want? ;) I admit that I usually write Pansy much brattier than she appears here, but she's never completely vapid. Draco was likely with her for over a year (at least GoF Yule Ball to HBP school year start) - why would he be caught dead in her presence if she had no redeeming characteristics? Some people pull the arranged marriage card but you don't have to pretend to like someone you're contracted to marry. I love how you show me new facets of my own writing. I didn't purposely set out to make Draco and Pansy's relationship a Slytherin archetype, I was mostly working the "ex trying her damndest not to care but doesn't want everything to implode" angle.
OH, geez! Ginny needs to learn some tact! What a way to blow someone's ego. Does she even know that Draco cared for her and depended on her that much? And now she's pretty much admitted it really could have been anyone and she would have done the same. But I wonder if she would have gone to such degrees? I mean, you'd hardly want to shag Crabbe because Tom might be living inside there . . .
Ramblings aside, this was a fantastic chapter! I think I'm finally beginning to understand Ginny, which is nice. I do feel a bit sorry for her, but I feel worse for Draco. That's definitely a lot to take in.
One thing I do appreciate is that you have Ginny some real, emotional reactiosn to that time when Tom possessed her. A lot of people do the 'oh, yeah, this happened and it sucked, I was scared' blah blah thing. But this shows more than that. This shows the twisted feeling of longing and hate. Tom was her best friend; I think it's inevitable she would miss him in her own way.
I really liked this line: "And is it really such a foreign notion to Gryffindors that you can still care for someone who betrayed you?" -- It says a lot about Draco's life, but also about how sheltered/secure Ginny's was. If Tom had never entered her life through that diary, she would be just like the others, having no comprehension of what it means to be betrayed by someone you love and yet still love that person.
Anyway, I really loved this chapter and look forward to reading what happens next. I'm almost a bit worried at how Draco is going to react.
Author's Response: Crabbe? *twitch* I'm thinking it would be much harder to psych oneself up for that task, yes. Ha, tact. They're so thoroughly sick of each other's BS at this point that the gloves are coming off (in an entirely related note, you are quite right to worry about Draco's reaction). I'm so glad to hear that the payoff's been worthwhile so far and that Ginny makes a bit more sense! I was sure that her possession would crop up again in canon but it never did. We tend to focus on the terrible things Riddle did to her and not the connection that made it possible - completely understandable considering Ginny's ultimate reaction (a single snide comment in OoTP).
Well, wasn't this a rollercoaster chapter. There were times where I really wanted to slap Ginny, but then she made up for it in the end (I hope). She's more shifty than I think we give her credit for. I can't believe she was going to kill Draco. Well, try, anyway. And while I would normally wonder at Draco forgiving her that easily, I think the way you have written them (and their relationship) does make it make sense.
Very curious to know what will happen next.
Author's Response: In the end, he just wants what he wants and bother everything else - a rather unsatisfying conclusion after all of his speculation, but there it is. The dysfunction in the chapter is strong; if you feel it makes some sort of sense then I'm happy. Ginny's misplaced guilt gave her a lot of nasty things to say on top of her terrible confession so yeah, I'm not surprised that you wanted to slap her.
Ooooh. I have a confession: smut makes me squeamish. So don't mind me if I start getting a bit, er, prudish on you. ^_~
I found this chapter quite touching. Their relationship is really driven out of need, but I think there is something there. I like the fact Ginny isn't being too pushy, but is respecting that there actually is little he can do. Being 'noble' isn't always the answer. Also like the fact he can respect her decisions. I hope nothing happens to either of them.
Author's Response: Well, there's no use shielding your eyes from here on out; this chapter is as racy as the story gets! It's a strange little stalemate they're at, and you're right, being noble can't get anything accomplished in this situation. On the offchance that you missed part of this chapter, on a conceptual level it was about Draco making up for how bad their last time together was for her and feeling grateful for the opportunity to do so.
Great chapter! Once again, you conveyed the emotions beautifully. I like how you used Greg and Vince to show the shift in power that Draco is going through.
Author's Response: Thank you! Not gonna lie, I found the dialogue on the train pretty revolting but I felt like it had been a while since we'd been able to evaluate how isolated Draco is. Ginny's become his personal retreat again, like she was last year.
Well, damn. This was one hell of a chapter. You captured the emotion beautifully. I really felt it.
But, of course, if you leave the story like this I may just have to hunt you down and kill you. I have my ways. ^_~
Author's Response: *gulp* Here I was thinking you might just hunt me down for sport for trolling you at the beginning of the story. When I talked about reviewers making me see the story through new eyes, I was thinking specifically of YOU. I knew that readers somehow bought Ginny's behaviour in the first phase but I didn't know *why* until you laid out your case so eloquently. (Does that make me some sort of idiot, not understanding my own story? MAYBE) Just yeah, thanks for all of your awesome insights.
Blaise is sick of seeing Draco miserable and decides to play matchmaker. Cute and innocent, but with lots of snogs!Category: Works in Progress
Aww, Draco is so cute. And now I feel like a grandma, because all I want to do is pinch his cheeks and coo over him.
Cute story. I look forward to reading more.
Author's Response: I needed a light story where he's not completely dark and brooding all the time. haha.. I'm glad he came out cute.
Aww, this chapter was a bit sadder, but there was still that hint of fluffiness at the end.
Author's Response: Where there is Draco trying hard to get the girl there will always be fluff! I was trying to show a side of Ginny that many probably think about. What did happen that summer after the Chamber? Surely she wasn't just magically ok after that.
Draco has just asked Ginny an important question. His setting is somewhat questionable.Category: Completed Short Stories
Hehee, I love it! Short, cute, and hilarious. My favourite kind of one-shot. I liked Draco's list as well. Very romantic in that 'not cliche' kind of romance, which is exactly how I picture him to be romantic.
Author's Response: Thank you so much, I'm just getting back into the D/G world of fanfiction, I'm really pleased that this turned out so well. Glad you liked it!
Category: Completed Short StoriesOr, "A Life in Headlines" ... 'You watch him leave and your heart, what's left of it anyway, follows him out and doesn't look back. You watch your chest rise and fall with gentle breaths (how was it not heaving with heavy sobs?) and expect it to rip open at any minute and show the world the great crater he's left you with.'
I did get a bit confused about the Lily part, so I'm glad you cleared that up.
This was very interesting. I don't think I've really read anything in this style. I'm glad you gave it a happy ending. ^_^
The Chamber of Secrets broke Ginny. Harry defeated Riddle, but in revenge, Tom stole Ginny's sanity. She was put in St. Mungo's and forgotten. Ginny was used to the routine, the silence, and her insanity. Then Draco became a healer on her ward.Category: Completed Short Stories
Ooooooooooooooo, this is absolutely fascinating. I have a thing for insane Ginny's, and this one promises to be a good one. I'm really, really intrigued by this, and I love the way you set the story up. The bare, almost matter-of-fact prose really works for this, and I loved the whole concept of 'words having power', and her fear of them. Brilliant!
I don't feel I know enough about Draco to make a good judgement on him, but I am very interested to see how you will characterise him. Look forward to reading more!
Author's Response: Lol, I'm so pleased that you think it's so fascinating! :D
It's the first insane Ginny I've written, so I hope it keeps its' promise to be good! ^_^
I hope you like Draco's characterisation later, and enjoy the rest of the story too.
I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
This story really is incredibly fascinating. I'm very curious to find out what Draco is going to do next.
Author's Response: I'm so happy that you think it's so fascinating! :D
The next chapter has been updated, so I hope it sates your curiosity.
Awww, this was lovely. I'm glad George was able to get some kind of normal, human response from her. That would have been a momentous occassion indeed to hear her laugh again.
Author's Response: thanks for reviewing!
I'm happy that you thought it was lovely :)
I think George was glad about it as well - although, I couldn't imagine Ron or their parents being able to get the same response. George is special that way ^_^
Thank you again for reviewing; I hope you enjoy the next chapter!
Oh, no! Cliffhangers! Gaaaah! How could you end it like that? I hope you don't plan to make us wait for long for the next chapter!
Needless to say, I loved this chapter. This story just gets more intriguing, and I'm finding all the relationships fascinating. I think you're dealing really well with Ginny and her thought process.
Author's Response: Yeah, it was an evil cliffhanger, wasn't it? XD
Thank you for loving the chapter! I'm so glad that you think the relationships are fascinating; I rewrote and fixed quite a lot to make sure they all worked well together! :)
Ginny's mind/thoughts/responses were very interesting to write. I thought that she would have had a much more simple and childlike view of the world, since she didn't really live in the outside world for all that long, and had no experiences to complicate or change the way she viewed the world...
I've updated, so I hope the wait wasn't too long!
I'm kind of shell-shocked right now. I don't want to believe Ginny is dead. It happened so suddenly. And how did Frank and Alice know all that? Did they somehow share Ginny's memories when she helped them?
Author's Response: Is it a good shell-shocked? o_O
It did happen suddenly, and I don't think anyone wanted to believe Ginny died!
Hmm, you're the first to ask about that, actually. In my mind, it was like you said - Ginny was able to share her memories and past when she saved Alice and Frank.
I've updated with the final chapter, I hope you like it! :)
I honestly wasn't expecting the story to go this direction, but that could be my demands for happy ever afters coming through. You know what, though, this actually was a nice ending -- certainly happy enough for me to be satisfied, and I think it wouldn't have been very realistic for Ginny to overcome everything to have an actual romance with Draco anyway. Not in a six-chaptered story, that's for sure.
Author's Response: Thanks for reviewing!
It's good that you weren't expecting the story to go that way. Right? XD
Like you said, it wouldn't have been realistic for Ginny to just get better and have an actual romance with Draco.
I'm pleased that it was a nice and happy enough ending for you though :)
Thank you for reading the story!