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.
how many chapters are left in Part 1? I'm excited and sad for it, as I know that it will mean a break until more DDD Part 2 comes around. Although I do look forward to seeing where some of your other stories pick up from where they were left off!
Author's Response: You know, really... I'm not completely sure... but there may be only one more chapter. Obviously, a LOT will be left unresolved until Part Two! But I think that's as it should be here. The central conflict of Part One was whether or not Draco and Ginny were ever going to trust each other enough to be able to get to this point (as well as what it would end up meaning for both of them-- and that hasn't been resolved yet.) A lot of external conflicts are yet to come, and we'll just have see how they end up dealing with those, both individually and as a couple. Anyway, the last chapter is coming soon...
How much longer? I can't wait - super curious to know what happens next!!
Author's Response: I'm working on DDD every day, and something tells me that the time is coming soon... ;)
YES! I was sooooo hoping that she would get a butterfly wish note from Draco. I wish it had told us more of his secrets but I'm sure we will get to hear those in time.... :)
I'm checking back every day for an update- can't wait!
Author's Response: Thanks! I'm working on the next chapter. Ginny's being VERY difficult about exactly what happened, for some reason... ;) But it'll be out soon.
I was so happy to see that you had updated!
I feel like both Astoria and Theo are faking interest in each other in attempt to use each other.. we know that Astoria is interested in someone else and Theo (as sappy as he may seem here) definitely has an ulterior motive to what he shows Astoria.
I guessed that the portal was to St. Mungo's and was super pleased with myself when i was right! YAY! I hope it will let Ginny confront the root of her problems.. they always seems to lead back to her trauma at St. Mungo's. I feel like this is where all the secrets are locked up!
I'll keep checking back for updates - can't wait!
Author's Response: Thanks! :) Yes, nothing is what it seems to be, although Theo does really have some feeling for Astoria. The backstory here is that he wanted to marry her, and she did give him some encouragement at one point. However, the Notts haven't had real money in a long time, and they became poverty-stricken purebloods when most of their property was confiscated after the war. She just wasn't ever going to choose him over Draco. So there's a lot of resentment in his feelings for Astoria, and if he knew the entire truth, it would be even worse. Yay for figuring things out! And much more soon.
So if Astoria is still Astoria and Ginny is also Astoria, where did Ginny's body go? Or is Ginny still Ginny but her body is just hibernating underneath her "Astorianess"? I'm intrigued to see where this goes. I wonder if Ginny's body will pop up on someone else who was present? (there always seems to be someone lurking around)
On another note! I feel like we may finally be getting to a place where fulfilling those vows may be possible! YAY for Ginny and Draco! Am I the only one who would be really sad though if Ginny's first time with Draco (/at all) was while she was in Astoria's body? I mean besides the fact that it's gross - would she even count as a virgin? And does that even matter?
So many questions! I look forward to seeing how you unravel it all.. I'm sure you have some grand scheme unknown to us all :)
Author's Response: Ginny's body is kind of out in the ether right now, because that's how the Cambio/Scimbare mashup works. They're two very different spells; Cambio is Dark magic, and Scimbare is a wandless little invention of Bill's based on traditional Romanian vampire magic (Bill REALLY needs to quit teaching Ginny these spells, IMHO.) They didn't blend well. Ginny's mind and personality are still there, as well as her CNS and peripheral nervous system (I did think this one out!) so her reflexes are the same, but she has Astoria's body. Ahem. PLEASE, y'all, don't worry about awful things happening... and that's all I'm going to say. Although the idea of a first time in someone else's body is sort of a fascinating concept in theory-- because Ginny still has all her own feelings and reactions, it *would* still be a first time for her, it's just that her body wouldn't feel quite the same-- awful mean things are NOT going to happen in this fic. :P More very soon!
ahhhha! i just read the review below where you said that Ginny's body won't end up anywhere else! I should have done my reading first.. :)
Author's Response: It's all good. :) The Astoria-and-Ginny's-body questions are fascinating, but I knew very early on that Ginny's actual body couldn't be floating around anywhere, because Astoria or her partners in crime would do awful things with it before she got it back (in fact, there's a point a little later where Astoria taunts Ginny by telling her what she would have had Theo Nott do with Ginny's body if things had worked out that way. Ick!)
That last scene was written so beautifully. I almost feel Ginny's shock and awe at witnessing something so intimate and genuine. There is no question now whether or not Draco is capable of love, it is only his true feelings for Ginny that we need to uncover.
I am cringing at the thought of Draco discovering "Astoria" spying on him with his mother after he has let his guard down. I don't think his reaction would be very pretty... hopefully Ginny has a chance to explain..
Her moment with Prudence was clearly very healing for her, I know it will influence her and that it will stay with her even if these pesky memory lapses keep getting in the way! It's hard for me to keep track of what Ginny remembers and what only us readers know. I hope she breaks through and remembers some of those incriminating moments soon!
As always, I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter and loving the updates!
Author's Response: Oh... thank you! Yes, Draco does have the capacity to feel love, as much as he's had to hide the emotion. What he feels for Ginny... well, let's just say that we'll learn more about that in the next chapter. ;) And you certainly make a very good point about the possibility of Draco discovering that Ginny-as-Astoria had been there. That's all I'll say. Prudence really provided some comfort for Ginny. I thought about spelling out more clearly exactly what kind of Immortal she is, but I didn't feel that Ginny had a completely clear sense of that either. To men at the Crystal Palace, she might be a kind of love goddess; to Ginny at that time, she appeared as the World Mother in one of her many forms, and that was enough. Anyway, more soon!
update soon? soon? soon?
I know brilliance takes time and I should have more patience but I'm anxiously checking back everyday!
Author's Response: Oh... thanks! :) (Um... I don't really know about that brilliance part, but thanks anyway.;) I'm working on the next chapter. Never fear.
Nooooo a cliffhanger! Although I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to like Draco's answer to Prudence's question.. I'm betting he won't really answer at all, he has a history of slithering out of expressing his feelings and giving real answers.
If Narcissa could recognize Ginny then hopefully others will be able to as well. ALTHOUGH now that I think of it, she could get some pretty interesting info out of him if he thinks she is Astoria - what might he let slip about Lucius??
Looking forward to the next chapter as always !
Author's Response: I *love* all the different theories about exactly what Draco's going to say. He's been very slithery in the past, but he just can't expect to lie to an Immortal and get away with it-- especially not Prudence. She's known him too long! So the truth will out. OTOH, does Draco really know how to tell it? ;) We'll all find out soon... and I like your other theories, too. More soon!
i missed reviewing last chapter.. I went back to post and THIS was up!! Woooo I will miss the frequent updates but I see how hard this would be to maintain. I am loving the direction that this story is going in. I do have a question for you though: at this point has Ginny managed to control changing her body back to own? or just her voice? I am pretty sure she has only managed her voice, but if she has found a way to reverse even part of the spell then I'm sure it will not be long before she is able to tackle the whole thing. the only question is.. will Nott leave them alone long enough for her to reveal herself?? another great chapter thanks :)
Author's Response: Thanks! It won't really be a long time, but there's a lot going on right now, and I feel that if I don't get the next few chapters just right, some very important things won't work at all. Ginny is actually just using a Disguising spell on her voice. As Theo pointed out, though, those usually don't work well enough to fool anybody. So there's got to be a reason why this one works. Personally, I think it's because of the connection between Draco and Ginny... ;) And here's a teentsy little cookie crumb hint: Draco and Ginny WILL go off on their own in the next chapter. The question is what happens then... and the answer, I think, will be quite a surprise.
Thank you for the explanation! I'm sure when I go back and re-read I will see that you explained the spell and I just missed it in my frantic efforts to see what happened next. You are always so amazing at responding to reviews quickly and with such lovely answers and comments :)
Author's Response: Thanks so much! :) Always ask about anything you want to know, and I'll try to explain. (except calculus. Can't help you there.)
This update was so unexpected it 100% made my essay-writing-and-suffering-filled-night! this chapter did not raise any huge questions for me except for the nature of Draco's "spidey sences" when it comes to Ginny. Can't wait for the big reveal- hope Ginny manages it soon though we know Draco is not likely to want to sit round and listen to "Astoria's" explanations. Keep it up :)
Author's Response: Thanks! :) I worked out some issues with DDD, and I think there will be at least a couple of chapters in a row now... mm. Something VERY interesting is coming up next. Stay tuned...
For starters, I loved this chapter! The plot and intrigue has been really good but I was missing some smut :)
I was surprised that Draco didn't pick up on the 'in vino veritas' reference - I didn't get the feeling that it was a very common spell that Astoria would know - but I suppose he was rather distracted..
there are a lot of pieces to be unravelled before the consummation can happen still as you promised that Ginny would not be Astoria for it. That she will have to reveal herself to Draco, get her body back somehow, and figure out the vows. Never mind the fact that Draco has to be in agreement as he seemed pretty intent that he would send Ginny away if she was there. I'm sure you have a plan for how all of this will play out because I certainly have no idea how it could happen!
Looking forward to hearing the backstory of Draco/Astoria and all the resentment there!
Author's Response: Thanks! Oh, there's a LOT more smut coming up after this, trust me. Draco hasn't been picking up on a few things, shall we say, and we'll learn more about the reasons why pretty soon. The plan will play out, and I HOPE that readers will like it and it'll make sense. Backstory and lots of other drama-type things coming right up! :)
YES yes yesyesyes! Oh man I was so happy to see this chapter. AND SO HAPPY that Draco finally figured his shit out and Ginny came to her senses. She would have hated herself and Draco if she had gone through with the consummation whilst pretending to be Astoria. A VERY satisfying chapter! I especially enjoyed how Draco's protective instincts kicked in as soon as he realized who she was and how the first thing he says is “You really have no idea just how badly you’ve managed to cock things up this time, have you?” Such a typical Draco reaction it made me laugh :) I feel like things are really starting to get moving here and I can't wait!! The next chapter will, I think, be very entertaining.. though I think Draco will definitely feel some guilt for the way he has unknowingly been treating Ginny. However, he did show a lot of restraint with her too. Also, he now knows that Ginny overheard (*ahem* EAVESDROPPED) him with Prudence Johnson and his mother.. What will Draco make of Ginny knowing these intimate secrets?
Enough of my rambling.. Looking forward to the next update as always :)
Author's Response:
Thanks!~ :) Yes, there are a few things that they need to resolve in the next chapter before anything else can happen, even if they don't get through all of their issues (and they won't.) Draco does feel that guilt, no doubt about it. Ginny has now seen him at his worst in TWO separate ways: when he was obsessing over her to Prudence, and when he treated her badly as Astoria. (Although I do think that he pulled back in some crucial way both times.) He knows that she risked everything to take Astoria's place and to be with him. But he's also figured out something that she hasn't, and that will come into play in the next chapter in a big way. Some very interesting times are coming up soon... ;)
I just went back and re-read this chapter. The first time through I totally missed that fact that Draco disillusioned himself. So the reason that he was so dense in not noticing Ginnys terrible acting was that he had been charmed by someone not to notice? I'm betting Astoria placed that on him before she attempted the cambio spell, so that he wouldn't notice that she wasn't Ginny.. am I right? or I could be completely out to lunch here..?
Author's Response: YAY! (throws gold stars around) (gives nononono the Review Crown for the chapter.) (shakes Magic 8-Ball.) Signs Point to Maybe. ;) Let's just say that you're on the right track. I wondered if anyone would comment on the fact that Draco had to perform a Disillusionment charm on himself, and also that he found it very difficult to do.
ughhh I have gotten so spoiled with the frequent updates. It's probably for the best that there hasn't been any new DDD chapters as I've been super busy, but that doesn't stop me from checking back everyday! Soon? yes? willing to offer bribes :)
Author's Response: I know... I've been in a three day seminar, and lots of other stuff has been going on... but soon! The next chapter is very important to get right, too. SO much has to come together. :) (you could try sending virtual chocolate...)
I havent even started reading this chapter yet but I saw the beginning and I would love to get the R rated version please :)
ahh very excited! I didnt even get a chance to review the last chapter, you beat me to it with the next one!!!
Author's Response: Just send me your email through the author link, and I'll send you the R version (also the next ones as they come up.) As I said above, though, there's really not a lot of difference between the two versions for Ch 115. But that will... um... change. More coming soon!
Yep. That second new chapter is actually here. This fic will continue!! :)Category: Works in Progress
The sequel to Draco's Dangerous Dilemma.
Nearly two years have passed since Ginny saw Draco in a coffeeshop for the first time after the war. The two of them have been trapped in a seemingly neverending cycle of lust, betrayal, revenge, and despair ever since-- until one night of passion at the Pureblood Ball proved to them both that their bond could never be broken.
But there's a world outside the fragile love budding between the pair. And Ginny just may find out that Draco's past casts a shadow that neither of them can outrun in time to save him...
Chapter NINE Quote of the Day:
“So here’s where we are,” she said. “The sketches are ready. The clay models are done. I’m happy with them. You?”
“Very much so,” said Draco. His mouth quirked upwards. “Remember Bob Ross and his Happy Trees? I’d never have believed then that we’d reach this point, but we have.”
“We’ve come a long way since then,” said Ginny. She remembered how furious she was when she first learned that she’d be working with Draco on the fountain project, and that he’d somehow finagled his way into the Junior Minister of Art position. How snippy and cold she’d tried to be to him; how snarky he’d been to her in return. How exhausted he’d always looked, too, and how much she had wanted to smooth away the dark circles from under his eyes and put a real smile on his handsome face. She’d threatened to report him to the Minister of Art and have someone else reassigned to her; she was ashamed to think of that now.
“We certainly have,” said Draco, giving her one of his real smiles, the sort she’d never imagined his face could possibly form in those days. She tried not to smile in return. She wanted to remain as serious as possible.
YAY! part two! I almost didn't even see this as I was skimming along and didn't recognize the title. Great first chapter :)
Author's Response: Thanks so much! It was kind of short, but something tells me that the next one will be longer. ;)