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Oof, the tea I'd been waiting for ever since I remember Rose got that note from Hermione. You manage to strike this balance where this is a tense, strained family interaction, but there's genuine affection there as well. Ron and Hugo have very clearly been serving as peacekeepers for quite some time now. And yeah, Ron should come to terms with Hermione's problem and demand she get help, but what you've written here paints a really strong picture of a guy who just desperately wants his family to be normal. He wants to have a normal tea where he gets to make little jokes with his wife and ask his kids how they're doing and deflection and avoidance is the name of game.
I have a real envy of the way you describe body movements, it's something I've always noted about your writing. Like the way you describe Hermione's head as bobbing between her shoulder blades, showing us that she's thinking. Likewise with your perfect metaphors for describing things it's very hard to put your finger on -- like the way you liken Hermione's brain to a sponge, which is funny because it's the way young Hermione would have been described too, always learning and absorbing, but here it's less complimentary, this is the negative aspect -- the way she can hear a person without really giving anything of value back when she doesn't want to. She hoards the information in order to maintain control.
But while they got right to bickering and sniping, there's something about Hermione at the end there that seems genuine, or I want to believe so, anyway. Maybe she even wants to tell Rose whats up but she can't? That's the most caring I think I've seen her in this story so far, and I think Rose is too wound up to see it or too used to Hermione saying things like this out of condescension.
Another great chapter! <3
PS -- Tag!
Author's Response:Hi Melanie!
So glad to hear your thoughts on this chapter, because you are the Weasley expert. I really love your comments, especially about Ron. It's not that he is incompetent or intentionally enabling, he just doesn't know what to do. She has always been such a strong personality, and he has always been about supporting her (in my mind). He doesn't want to rock the boat, he's a pretty comfortable person. More passive than Rose would like.
And thank you :)) that is so sweet to hear. But you are right about the ending. Hermione has genuine regret and fear for her daughter, but Rose feels she's been burned one time too many.
Thanks again!!
Catherine
Tag! Oooh I've been away from this story too long.
What a way you have with words that just immerse the reader into the scenario. "Like biting into a perfectly ripe blueberry" -- it's so unexpected and evocative. Also I loved the detail of Scorp's eye staring back at Rose through the peephole, showing that he's peering into it from the other side. It's a relatable, silly little moment. Scorp not knowing how to make coffee -- "fucking wizards" -- haha.
Also I love the way they watch each other. And the liuttle glimpses you can see of some comfort in this dynamic.
And a clue now in Abel's office -- I wonder what it opens??
Hi Catherine, joining the fray again for some review tag!
I think your approach to Rose seeing Abel shows there’s a very clinical aspect to her character. We see little emotion as she studies his body. But I think it makes sense given her profession. A level of detachment would be absolutely necessary. And this also solidifies the notion that things were a bit strained between them too.
And ahh Hugo! I love a good sibling relationship and that is totally what we get here. :) And of course, Hugo is their parents' dutiful son, always responding to owls and showing up and trying to get on Rose for not leaving that burden solely to him. Well maybe that’s just me projecting my personal situation onto this scene, but it sort of felt like this while reading.
Nosey Rosie is such an adorable nickname! And I like that even though she’s reluctant to take Hugo’s advice, she does in the end, which I think speaks to her great respect of him/his opinion. Even if she’s stubborn and headstrong and wants to do things her own way.
Great job progressing the plot while also incorporating this new sibling relationship! I need more Hugo/Rose stuff, please?
<3 Courtney
Hi Catherine, back again for some tag (tired of seeing me here, yet? :grimacing:)!
"She knew they’d had House Elves right up until the disbandment of the outdated system, all thanks to her mother." YESSS. And gosh, can you imagine never answering your own door and how suddenly having to would feel from an awkward socialization standpoint? I mean, just from the pandemic I can't have a normal conversation with adult strangers when I go to the park and stuff lol. So in a really not privileged way, I can relate, hah?
And Astoria is gone. Oh no. :( No wonder there's a sadness about Draco.
"There was only one enormous portrait of a serpent, slithering in its frame..." ooh such a creepy detail! But also really cool and totally fits into this world. Awesome!
"...the sort of thing they wouldn’t teach in History of Magic." Nice dig at the education system and how we refuse to acknowledge certain peoples involvement in horrific historical things. I really thought this was a great, subtle critique of that.
Functioning alcoholism at its finest. Sometimes an addiction like this rears its head when we least expect it from this person and that can make it dangerous, because people like this can be unpredictable. Great job at capturing a drunken moment. Writing drunk people is hard, man.
"And then she let Abel in, and he introduced her to a new type of loyalty. One that didn’t involve unconditional love, because sometimes people didn’t deserve to be loved back." All very valid.
Oh shit. Draco was investigated after Astoria's death?! Yikes. Do you think all high profile "purebloods" (really hate using that word) in the HP universe get their murders investigated so heavily? Just curious if that's a head canon of yours or if there was something more sinister about Astoria's death, really hah.
Rose is brave waiting it out with drunken Scorpius. I don't know that I could do that just because of the unpredictability of drunk people at times. But the ending was strong here. I envision Scorpius just delivering that line and slowly drifting off to sleep.
Another great chapter that gives us some more on the characters backstory as well as a forward trajectory of the plot. Well done with that balance!
<3 Courtney
Author's Response:Hi Courtney! Never tired of hearing from you, though you might be tired of revuewing me lol
I definitely had to add that piece about Hermione's career achievements, as it is sort of important to Rose's childhood development and consequent adult behavior ;) Andy eah, Draco doens't really like anyone, and he really doesn't like answering the door. Kind of love that about him. (I feel like the snake is the lone holdover from the war in their manor) Thank you for pointing out all these little things that carry significance about the current state of affairs in the world! I really appreciate those things going noticed :)
And yeah...no moneyed former Death Eater would really go unnoticed, especially when their beautiful, loving wife dies. It's sort of a nod at how Scorpius' family life is also really messed up, and it's not even from who you'd expect ( ;) ;) ). Money corrupts absolutely here :/ Rose has a lot of experience with drunk Scorpius, and although he tests her patience, her soft spot for him is softening as we go along!
Thanks again for the great review, can't wait to hear more
Catherine
Hey, yo, tag, Catherine!
"She shoved her chair backwards, unworried about Scorpius’ feet, and then stalked out of the room." // "Her elbow tugged backwards as Scorpius hooked his hand in it." I just love how you wrote these actions here. We get a sense of Rose's displeasure and resistance and the fire burning inside of her at being told to do something she doesn't wish to without you even having to come out and say it. Excellent job there.
“I’m honest. You’re mean.” I think also this shows the differences in their upbringing tbh. There's a way to be polished honest, like a Malfoy and then theirs brutal honesty like a Granger-Weasley (gosh that combination of personalities in those kids...don't envy the teachers).
And is she really getting over/processing the loss, really? Hmmm...the "quietly manipulative," has me questioning her motives. Which is fine. And likely the point since this is *sings* A MYSTERYYY. :)
And then boom, we're shifting gears and sneaking about the upstairs of the mansion we got kicked out of, and I, as a reader, AM TENSE.
"Silencing," rooms. I love it. It's such a logical thing in this universe, but I don't see it employed often. So when I do, I love it. :)
Shit this whole exchange with Anna gets super tense because now they both have things they can use to blackmail one another with. And it's still not entirely clear where they stand. Sure, they are friendly enough, but confidantes? Doesn't really feel like it. Even so, you create this delightful tension in this scene that has me watching them go back and forth with one another about what's right and what they should disclose to each and why and it's really engaging and gripping.
And the dig about Rose and Scorpius spending a lot of time together. Anna is watching her too. Eep! Another excellent chapter!
<3 Courtney
I really liked your depiction of Scorpius as a lawyer here. Gone is the "precious bean feel," of the previous chapters and he exudes this level of authority that is totally different from what we've seen before, but people "perform," differently around certain people or adapt to their surroundings. So I think given the backstory of the Malfoy family and what we know of them, he does this very well.
I AM VERY :eyes: about the comment regarding Abel's Dad and Rose. LIKE WHAT?! And does her prior involvement, whatever the circumstances, with him also feed into the animosity with Elizabeth? I wonder...
This was a great scene and while I am limited with my knowledge of laws (whether real or fabricated for this story), I think you did a great job explaining the technicalities of why Rose won't be disappearing from this case like Elizabeth wants her to.
What is going on here Catherine? I must read on and learn all the secrets you've laid out for us like delicious breadcrumbs.
<3 Courtney
Author's Response:Hi Courtney!!
Precious bean will return, but yeah, Scorpius is a lot different when he is lawyering. Rose is obsessed with underestimating people :) There is soooo much about the Geronimos and Rose that I can't wait for you to know :) I did kind of make up the laws for this story, which is fun because the laws in Rowling's world are very loose. I get to decide a lot of it! Thanks for another review <3
Catherine
Back to bogart ye funyuns! ;)
Difficulties at work is a total mood. Particularly whenever you have some things happening in your personal life as well like Rose does here.
"She would always thank her grandfather Weasley for sparking her interest in the extraordinary." :hearts in eyes: for Arthur Weasley teaching his grandkids the same things he taught his kids.
Ok, focus Courtney. Focus.
"The Geronimo family had such layers of complication." YESS. Tell me more. I need to know more about this complicated family dynamic.
“Score, wait,” she sighed. “I’m sorry, I’ve been acting selfish. He was obviously way more important to you, and I’ve been…callous.” AWW OHHH. Feelings. Do I have them for these two? A wee bit, yes.
"Like her father’s stupid blushing, her maternally inherited toothy smile often gave her away." EEP OK. I love that we see a little bit of Rose's "tells," and how they differ from Ron/Hermione, but also tie to them. Well done there, friend!
Bless Scorpius and his stuttering over the implication of cleavage staring. We love a sweet, considerate boy.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEIR DYNAMIC THOUGH. Have I said it before? Because yeah. I do. I love how we see Rose's strong Granger-Weasley personality, because yeah, those two would make an INTENSE kid.
I love her finger beckoning in the end though. It really felt fitting giving their snippy banter.
Great chapter! I will need to keep going!
<3 Courtney
Hey, yo, Catherine, diving back into this universe in a friendly round of TAG! :smiles:
"...and then all the history with their families seemed inconsequential." I like this. Yes, Draco did questionable things and likely spent the rest of his life paying for them. But we see here, the breaking up of an old mindset of "because your family did this, you must carry the sins of your father," totally unfair and I like that we see this being broken up here.
Ok, back to the larger plot.
I like how the pub scene we feel a bit removed from what is happening between the group. Similar to Rose, yeah? She's there, observing, but not really partaking in conversation/doing much. I dunno if that was intentional or not, but. It was cool.
Ooh...more on Abel's death. Peanut planted in the system to confuse the investigators. Someone who knew him well enough then. :eyes:
“You know, demanding to take care of a check because you feel bad about the amount of money you have is just as bad as having such an inordinate amount of money,” I snorted at this because, truth. But also funny. Great little insertion of humor here.
I really am into this Scorpius/Rose dynamic you present here. Unlikely allies who bicker. It's grand.
This story is grand. I need to read more. Perhaps on my long drive today (I am the passenger, don't worry hah).
<3 Courtney
Catherine! I feel like rozar is a highly talked about story around here and the fomo is real. Plus, this is a mystery and I am in the mood for one. So let's do this!
Immediately I have questions. What happened to Abel, for one? But also, what happened between Abel and Rose? She doesn't seem too thrilled to be at his wake. And I don't mean because she's upset that he died. It feels like something happened and I'm all *pulls up a chair* "pls tell me more."
I was really struck by the distinct personalities you've created and the way they impact the overall mood of this chapter. Rose feels uncomfortable yet somewhat obliging based on the fact that she's there, but doesn't particularly feel like she wants to. Scorpius apologizing for existing is such a mood though. And Anna seems guarded. And we get the sense that there was division in the Geronimo family by Anna's comment of them all almost being together again. More questions I need answers to! :eyes:
Ooh Rose is perhaps investigating Abel's death. I am REALLY intrigued.
And SHIT. Based on his last will & testament, he thought he could possibly die young? Wow, that's heavy. But also, I suppose if he had a lot to lose, and there were other things (that we may not presently know about) going on, it doesn't seem too paranoid. I wonder though. I need to keep reading on to discover what is going on here!
Ok, so I think you do a great job of slowly revealing things to us in a way that makes us want to keep reading to discover JUST WHAT is going on here. We know what we need to right now, but it's not enough lol. So well done you for creating an addictive sort of story, here!
<3 Courtney
Author's Response:Hi Courtney!
Great to hear your thoughts on my other writing :) Rose is super my least sympathetic protagonist, so even when she should be thinking about others, she is usually wallowing in her self pity. But also...yes there is more to the story lol. I do love her, though :) He had a lot to lose, so the will isn't totally out of the ordinary...but the circumstances are certainly hinky. No more to be said here!
Catherine
right when i think that some things might become clearer in the chapter (them finding abel's safe, opening it....kept my hopes up), things just get more and more twisty!
that revelation at the end, about mr. geronimo not being abel's dad is really making me question and reconsider a lot of the things that happened before, and i just...keep getting more and more suspicious of rose only because her motives are pretty unclear at this point and she just keeps literally everything to herself, being a super unreliable narrator which i love but i'm also starting to become a version of rose meaning hella suspicious of literally everyone hehe
but damn. i wonder what sorts of dark family secrets we'll again uncover and who abel's real dad is hmmmm. thinking that his mother killed mr geronimo doesn't seem that far-fetched, especially if he found out that he wasn't abel's dad but....abel's death?????? goddd i really need to know :o
but also poor scorpius - i mean yes, as i said i'm suspicious of everyone right now but he just seems like he's there to be abel's long-suffering friend trying to deal with his crazy family and with rose which is a whole other barrel of dynamite just waiting to blow up.
i guess abel could've confronted his mother about her stealing money, but anna says abel knew about it and didn't want to do anything so it doesn't seem like his mother would be the one to kill him if he was protecting her in this way. or maybe he just didn't want to blow up their family though they're all so messed up, it was bound to happen one way or another lol.
:EYES:
super exciting chapter!
kris
Hello!
I really liked the first part of this chapter. I think you did a great job introducing some backstory about Scorpius and the Potter/Weasley family and their relationships. I’m also very curious about the awkward silence after the comment about Abel convincing Rose of things – there seems to be some backstory there that I’m super curious about.
I really liked the conversation between Rose and Scorpius. You did a great job providing teasing bits of information, and the tension between them was really well written. I’m super curious about Geronimo’s death – this sounds like Not A Natural Death At All.
I really liked this and I’ll be back for more soon!
~Olivia
omg wow okay what the fuck is happening, that's not adam but it's adam's coat??? what........................................is happening my brian is going all :EYES: and lol the geronimos really have peak family drama after funerals, duelling between themselves i mean really. i have to know what exactly is up with that :EYES:
Catherine!!! Here for the guerrilla gift tag and because your AP has been on my to-visit list for far too long. This ends today!!!)
(oh, and here for BvB!!)
With so many delectable stories on your AP, this one stood out to me because of the MYSTERY! And also Rose Weasley. But the MYSTERY!
And this opening chapter sure raises a lot of questions. And what promises to be some pretty juicy secrets! Who was following Abel? Why did he make this will before his untimely death? Why was he suspicious of dying? How did he die--and who killed him?! But these questions are only the tip of the iceberg--Adam's lack of appearance, Anna's attitude, their mother's... domineering presence, all of it wrapped into one dysfunctional family with some considerable wealth. There seems to be plenty of motive to kill here, hmmm...
The Ministry of Diversity, now that's also interesting. I'm curious to see more of this branch's function and why the wizarding world deemed is necessaey to have one (I mean, yes, the obvious reasons, but I am intrigued by their justifications). And because that position seems to be one of controversy, that widens the scope of suspects. Oh, what clever storytelling! Reader me is wanting to go on and delve more into this mystery, and writer me is singing your high praises.
Besides the family dynamics, I also like how you mention some estranged friendships: Mariah, Abel, Scorpius, Rose, and probably some others (there are lots of Weasley cousins, after all). How did they grow apart and why? Even more mystery!! I'm interested by how Rose is a private investigator, I think this is something she would be good at and I cannot wait to see more of her skills in action (as you cleverly weave in clues and possible red herrings). Oh yeah--Scorpius, he seems like he'll be a fun character to explore (and since I see a pairing tag... beside this is a ship I can cheer for? I'll definitely keep an eye out for that, lol). This has been a fantastic opening chapter, and I am looking forward to reading more!
Oh man, tea with her mom is gonna be... *grimacing face* I don't know.
I hadn't stopped to think about this before, I guess, but the fact that Harry is the Head of the Auror Department and the Aurors are investigating Rose and looking to pin something on her is just... wild, omg. Like I'm just so curious to know what Harry and Hermione each know at this point. Or like, what Rose's relationship is like with Harry considering she's sometimes at odds with the Aurors.
Xavier feels different in this chapter, like maybe in the previous chapters he was acting for the benefit of his partner so his partner wouldn't suspect Xavier of trying to warn off Rose. IDK who to trust anymore. (I really loved the line, btw, about how it was an unspoken agreement that you don't take your casual fuck into custody, hahaha.)
Plot is thickening!! o.O
Melanie
hiyaa! im here v belatedly for our swap but here i am :3 ive read parts of this story while validating and im v much intrigued so lets start from the beginning shall we?
its a v interesting start, rose being there uncomfortable for many reasons at once and it makes you wonder how their relationship was even after the dating ended
i suppose mrs geronimo can get a lot of comfort out of it
head of diversity?
what a question to ask
i will v much agree w scorpius differing from draco even if it was only bc of cc and my own headcanons
jup thats how i see scorpius too
shes a pi?
oh what a lovely thing, so much hatred at a funeral
shes there for business?
what even is going on w this family
i like anna
i need more details
damn how even does he dress on a regular basis if a regular monday outfit is unkempt
he mustve been v afraid
a small attendance is v fair. inviting all war heroes would make for a crowded room indeed
oh interesting job. also damn abel mustve really known he was gon die
that sounds like a shit relationship
nice cover
daaaamn covering all the bases there
but indeed where is adam?
interesting start to the story and ill def check it out in full later :3
Hi Catherine, here for guerrilla gift tag!
Loved the dive into Rose's character and motivations in this chapter, and the way you presented everything was great and kept things feeling dynamic and interesting even when the gist of the chapter is her sitting in a cell talking to Scorpius. The flashback in the beginning giving us a glimpse into the history behind the two of them -- and the way Rose is and always has been motivated by a sense of vengeance, tit for tat. Like I loved how when she pointed out that Abel was cheating (and therefore why shouldn't she) and Scorpius is just like, "So?" Like just that simple, but such a huge difference in how their minds work. And then how you tied that in to her introspection during the rest of the chapter and how she's realizing she hadn't ever taken responsibility for whatever her role was in anything. And you can see in the way she gets defensive and the way she can't resist throwing jabs, like how she does with Xavier, that she's driven by this concept of constantly evening the score.
Man, I can't wait to see what's going to happen when Hermione learns about this. You've been building up this complex and dysfunctional relationship between them and I can't imagine this going down well with what we've seen of Hermione's behavior towards Rose (and frankly, their dynamic together in general).
It's just so interesting that being arrested and brought in for obstruction -- after all she's been through and done -- is what's finally causing these things to happen to her as you describe in the last paragraph -- walls caving in, skin being crawled into -- I really liked that ending to this chapter!
<3 Melanie
bahhh all four of the uh main people in abel's life are finally gathered together, sort of uncovering secrets, though not really lol but :EYES: :EYES: :EYES: at adam really seeming like he didn't write that note, and then abel's key to this mysterious safe which doesn't seem all that secret since both anna and adam know about it, though so maybe it's a family type thingie :eyes: i wonder what's in it and i'm betting it's something deliciously mysterious hah. also not blaming scorpius for getting all mad at rose, she really keeps a lot of things to herself and i know he's been getting all sorts of stupidly hopefuly about actually working together but nah, that's not really rose though lololo i'm holding out hope that she might soften up a lil bit at least towards him but uhh yeah they're both messes so it's probably not a real option but but oh well :p i'm excited to read moarrr
Author's Response:AH So good to hear from you! I LOVED writing this scene, because Rose finally gets some assistance, whether she wants it or not lol. I won't reveal the secrets of the safes :) Also so fun to write Scorpius finally alowing himself to get angry at Rose...we'll see how Rose reacts to that ;)
Thank you SO MUCH for coming back to review, I love reading the reactions to this as it is coming up and into fruition.
Catherine :)
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH
So Rose put a tracker in Abel's jacket when she was at the estate? Clever girl! I'm so intrigued by Adam's response. He came straight to her?! Like, that's exactly what she wanted! He must have known that, so clearly he doesn't really care about hiding from her, which means he has nothing to hide. It seems like he just could not be fucked to deal with the investigation. He's probably just trying to avoid his mother, which, can't blame him! If she really did kill her husband AND HER OWN SON then she's a monster and I would avoid her as well. It makes sense that she'd kill her husband if she was worried about him cutting her off, but Rose makes a good point about the wand being placed in the wrong hand. Maybe she did it on purpose so people wouldn't suspect her? I don't know.
AND OMG ADAM IS SUCH AN ASS. HIS COMMENT ABOUT SCORPIUS BEING "ON HIS PERIOD" LIKE OMG CAN I PUNCH HIM THE FACE?!
I CAN'T STOP WITH THE CAPS I'M SORRY NOT SORRY BUT WHY ARE THEY ARRESTING ROSE?! I MEAN, I GUESS THEY'RE NOT ACTUALLY ARRESTING HER BUT WHY IS SHE BEING QUESTIONED? THIS IS NOT OKAY AND I LOVE THAT SCORPIUS IS DEFENDING HER BUT AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
xx Gina
Author's Response:Yes Rose knows what she's doing (sometimes lol) And yeah, Adam is brash and annoying as all hell, but at least he is trying his best to find the killer (maybe? hehe) And then the questioning, yeah that's frustrating, but good for the pacing ;)
Okay, this is good. This chapter wasn't a huge reveal or a new clue or something *big*, but it was still powerful. The way you wrote about Rose and Hermione's relationship really resonated with me. Not to make this about me or anything, but I have a very similar relationship with my mother. It feels like it's all for appearances. Her mother waltzes in and hugs her and and says she misses her, but then she's not really there for her when she really needs her. There's not a lot of depth to it, and it feels a bit manipulative. It's clear Rose is dealing with childhood trauma here, and it seems to come from Hermione's lack of genuine affection/attention. I remember reading about addiction in one of the previous chapters, and I had assumed that it was referring to Ron, but the fact that it's actually Hermione is like... blowing my mind. This is a very different interpretation of Hermione than I've ever seen, but honestly it makes sense. She has so much pressure on her shoulders as Minister and she's always been a perfectionist, so I can see her turning to substances in a moment of desperation and the fact that it turned into an addiction breaks my heart, for both Hermione and Rose. I am struggling a bit with Hermione being so distant with her daughter (only because I adore Hermione and I'm sad to see her as such an absent mother) but it does make sense, given what we know about her in canon, and if she's struggling with addiction that would only compound it. I can see her leaning into her duties as Minister and that affecting her time with her family, and then it just spiraling until their relationship is basically unsalvageable. Poor Rose. Poor Hermione.
Gosh, even in the midst of a suspenseful, intense mystery, you throw in chapters like this and I'm just... wow. Your characters are so REAL.
xx Gina
Author's Response:I'm sorry that you feel resonance with this relationship, but also glad that it feels real in a way. Hermione does want to be better, but it's more than she ever realized it would be :((((
I love that we got Scorpius's perspective here. He is such a fascinating character and OOOOOH all the times he was fawning over Rose and then catching himself and looking away. YOU GOT A CRUSH, BOY. I mean, clearly there's electricity here between these two. The banter is off the charts. And I'm obsessed with the part where they're hiding together in the shadows listening to Mrs. G and Victor and they just like, grab hold of each other. SQUEE.
The dynamic here is so fascinating because, like, they're investigating the (potential) murder of Abel, and his family members are potential suspects/very clearly hiding things BUT they're all close with Anna so they're toeing the line between friends and private investigators. This scene really brought that home for me, because Scorpius's intentions for visiting the Geronimo home is innocent--just to help Anna--but then he ends up in a precarious position where he's listening in on private conversations and it's all so thrilling! Also, leave it to Rose to try to get info out of Anna while she's drunk. I swear Rose is a secret Slytherin.
xx Gina
Author's Response:Oof, okay I have to respond to this one! I secretly maintain that Rose would have been in Slytherin, but did not want to disappoint her parents, and demanded Gryffindor. A little Harry Potter wink wink for ya :)
DAMN that was hot. It was so well-written, too. Like, it felt so realistic, never over-the-top... juuuuuust right. When he laughed against her collarbone... oof that was sexy. And for some reason, I really loved the line about her legs regaining their understanding of the ground. I had to read it twice because it was one of those lines that just perfectly describes a feeling and you're like, Why have I never thought of that before? Beautiful. AND ROSE. WTF. She has to be in control of the situation, doesn't she? She acts like he's the one who needs her so she can act all aloof and indifferent, but WHY ARE YOU DENYING THIS MAN WHAT HE IS OFFERING?!
Anyway...
The second half of this chapter was equally as good! I love watching Rose puzzle this out in her mind. It's fascinating the connections between her and Adam, and Abel and Hugo. These flashbacks are SO INTERESTING. Like, what were all these fights really about? And Abel shoving Rose out of the way... to protect her or to hide the truth from her? It really doesn't seem like Mr. G's death was suicide. There's something darker here, something that is either haunting their family or happening within the family and everyone is trying to keep it under wraps. AHHHHHHHH, you are building the suspense and tension so beautifully and I love it.
xx Gina
Author's Response:So glad you enjoyed!! So fun to write, too :) And Rose, she just does her best, but man is that sexual maturity a little stunted. Think of what you're missing, girl! Hugo is my favorite sweet angel as well, I'm glad you enjoyed the way he handles Rose.
Ooooooh the drama!
Okay, first, do the Geronimos have any enchantments protecting their house? Rose and Xavier seemed to just walk right in. Maybe Xavier knows how to get past those? Or maybe they just didn't anticipate anyone illegally searching their house. That would make sense, although it seems like this family is involved in so much illegal activity anyway that I would assume they'd be prepared for something like this... if they were smart. Jury's out on that one, I guess. :P
The sexual tension! I was wondering if this guy was the one mentioned previously as being sometimes "more than friends" with Rose. Of course she has to be in control of every situation, though--putting her foot down when he tries to start something, but then inviting him to her flat for sex (via the code, of course). She's a tricky one. ;)
I'm so intrigued by this clue! It does seem like Adam was at the house recently. I love that she didn't tell Xavier. She wants to be the one to figure this out herself. And I really think she will!
xx Gina
Author's Response:Hi Gina!
Thank you for all the wonderful reviews thus far :) Quite a good assumption about the wards! The house was dedicated in Abel's will, however, and the transfer is on hold until the investigation is closed. So technically, the house doesn't belong to anyone, but if Elizabeth found out there would surely be hell to pay!!
Thanks again :) blackballet (Catherine)
HOW DO YOU DO THIS?! There is just so much packed into each chapter. It's so complex and interesting and my brain is just exploding with all the nuance!
When Rose first thought about how she was constantly failing/not meeting her parents expectations, I assumed it was just her own perception. Like, I couldn't imagine her parents actually telling her she's failed or anything, so I assumed it was Rose's own perfectionism projecting onto her parents by assuming they are disappointed in her. If that makes sense? But then you included the bit about Hermione berating her about her job, saying it doesn't have any "moral value." WTF? What does that even mean? I'm having a hard time seeing Hermione acting this way towards her daughter, so I'm still wondering if Rose is perhaps exaggerating it a bit in her mind? Maybe Hermione was just concerned for her and wanted to make sure she was happy and doing something that would give her security. I don't know for sure. But like I said--SO COMPLEX AND WONDERFUL and it really makes you think, which is something I really love about this story.
Poor Hugo is really trying. I love how he's looking out for her. It's really, really sweet. It does seem like Rose needs to talk to someone about not only Abel's death but also the family dynamics. There's clearly some unresolved trauma there that is stopping her from reaching out to others. She's very isolated. I feel for her.
xx Gina
Author's Response:Eventually it will all wrap around, mystery be damned! I think Hermione's words always get a bit twisted in her mind, but also Hermione is sort of unforgiving as well. The pressures of the world watching you.
Oh, Scorpius. I have so many feelings about him in this chapter. At first, I was just amused because the set-up is so hilarious, Rose walking into a study with Scorpius holding some fancy whisky just made him seem so pretentious. But then when I realized he was drunk, I was like, "Seriously, dude? You're supposed to be investigating a murder." But THEN I realized why he was drunk--it seems like he's still processing the grief of losing his mother--and it hit me straight in the gut. He's such a complex character and I think you write him well.
BUT ALSO Rose is such a complex character, too. I really enjoyed the part where she was thinking about how Abel had taught her a new side to loyalty that allowed her to be there for Scorpius even if they had a rocky past/a still tumultuous present. I love that.
BUT ALSO ALSO WHAT the Greengrass family investigated Draco after Astoria's death?! Okay, this just pisses me off. Like, LET THE DUDE GRIEVE. I know not everyone likes Draco, but I adore him and in my headcanon he adored his wife, so to think that he had to deal with an investigation after her death, where HE was a suspect in her death, just makes me sad. Why are these pureblood families so obsessed with money? Like, calm down, y'all are already rich.
Anyway, this is so good. On to the next!
xx Gina
Author's Response:ARGH, this hurt so much to write. I wanted to portray his terrible addiction the most accurate way that I could, and I am glad this gave you enough backstory. Everyone is money-hungry around here :/
What a read!!! From the chapters I've read, I am eiger to read more. These characters are so well constructed in their connections and interactions with each other that it is so easy to let go and dive into their environment. The relationship between Rose and Scorpio is so addicting in its discovery as the events unfold. This is overall so professionally written that you cant really find the differences between this and something you would find in a hardcover. Can't wait to read more. Keep up the good work ^
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