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hahaha This is a great chapter, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pace has really picked up with these last two, and it's really fun. I'm almost surprised Malfoy didn't manhandle Hermione as she practically destroyed his cupboard full of bottles and such, but I suppose he's probably got a healthy amount of fear about him when it comes to vampires - or almost vampires, as it were. Hopefully he'll give her some answers when she's able to actually function again! What was in the first bags of blood? Animal? Muggle? Obviously something helpful, but not special, like wizard's blood. I don't think she's going anywhere fast, though, so hopefully he sticks around for the next chapter and she can finally gain an understanding of what's happening to her. As bad as it is, knowledge is something Hermione can at least work with, and seeing her fail to fully understand is difficult. Great job!
Ah, yes, as I suspected, Malfoy would indeed recognize the signs of Hermione's mid-transfomation! To be fair, it was good of him to help her, especially as last time we saw him he seemed to be a bit low on supplies. I think you wrote their dynamic really well, where neither was terrible to the other, but also not kind. You also portayed Malfoy with a bit of humility at his much lowered status, even if he still has enough bite in him to comment on Hermione's plummeting one. He seems humbled, at least, compared to when we knew him from canon, and he was good enough to remove Hermione from a bad situation when he realized the pub was not a safe place for her. I really liked this chapter, it was a bit faster-paced than some of the previous ones, which were more building up to this, and I liked it a lot!
Neville! He's just the sweetest guy, honestly. I bet he didn't imagine he'd be stuck between Hermione and Ron's failing relationship at work, huh? He was a nice surprise in this chapter, though! haha
Dr Metzker needs a good hard slap, to be honest. I'm surprised she's not even trying to fake innocence by answering her phone. Like, what did she think would happen post-incident?
I'm really enjoying the expanded universe you've created here. I think you've really dived into the Ministry of Magic in a lot of facets that the books never reached, and it's fun to watch it become bigger and more intricate through your imagination. Onto the next chapter, in which I'm hoping we finally get our first Draco/Hermione meeting!
Henry really is a good guy, and he obviously deserves better than he gets too, but I like the way he handles it. I think it would be very easy for someone in a lower position than they clearly deserve to be bitter, especially to the person he's assistant, too. But he has a good heart, and cares about his impact more than his ambition overall, at least for now. I think he may end up driven out, too, if his loyalty remains to Hermione, and he may not be able to take it when it's just him and Gringus. I'm hoping Henry gets a happy ending, though! He really seems to be about the only consistent thing in Hermione's life right now, and the only person completely holding her together, even if she has to learn to be more independent again, post-magic-loss. But we both know our girl Hermione can figure it out. Let's go!
The "Prickly Arse" pub. Amazing.
Very cool to have a chapter from Draco's perspective, and such an interesting one! He's clearly landed himself in a life he did not want or expect when growing up as he did. It make sense the way he's found himself surrounded by the shady still, though. He's obviously in a precarious position, dealing with vampires, but it's pretty cool this cocktail he's created! I wonder, do they know he drugs it with sedation? His friends are... well, about as questionable as all his friends have been, I suppose. Methinks he's about to get another birthday surprise in the shape of one Hermione Granger! I'm interested to see how there first encounter goes. I wonder if he will recognize the signs right away, or piece together what the woman today said, about cursed blood, and realize it was Hermione she was referring to. I don't know how often he sees them in transition, but it may actually be a good thing for Hermione to have someone know, rather than continue trying to hide and deny it - especially someone who actually has knowledge of vampires!
This boss man is a BAD EGG, I tell you! I'm pretending for a minute that I don't know some spoilers here, so let me just say that this guy taking advantage of Hermione's absense like that is just beyond cruel, especially after all the work she's done for the department and in putting together that Pixie pitch for the Wizengamot. What a horrible little man. That said, can we discuss Henry? What a guy, he's great! I worry, though, that without Hermione, he may not have it in him to push back against the boss on his own ever. Clearly the boss is trying to run Hermione out and squash the impact she's been having on expanding rights and protections to non-wizards, and it's just awful. And now she's got to rely on Malfoy to get anywhere further? Just when you think it can't get worse, huh? hahaha
The writing in this chapter was really great, and you're really building a world here now. I feel like this chapter opened up so much room for this story, and such a deeper level of drive behind the characters post-Hogwarts. Excited to see what comes next!
Author's Response:Haha, well. Bad Egg is also a great descriptor. I forget who I've blabbed about this to, so forgive me if I don't remember exactly what you know. :P It is definitely above and beyond of him to use her circumstances against her. But let's just say that he has his own agenda, and it doesn't quite line up with hers. I'm actually on the scene where they have their final confrontation - Hermione and her boss - and there are so many threads to pull together there that it's giving me quite the headache. Hopefully it will make sense when we get there. (crosses fingers)
"Horrible little man"
I couldn't have said it better myself. :)
And yes, now she has to rely on someone who is clearly unreliable, at least in her memory, for all the answers she can't get anywhere else. This chapter shows her professional life and how it relates to all the other things we know about this world. I waffled a bit on which parts of her world to show first, and I went with isolation before I opened it up to everything else. I think it works, because otherwise, we would see all the resources she's refusing to use before we understand why she's refusing to use them, and she would seem even more foolish if I did it that way.
Thanks for reading!
Pix
You know, it's bad enough what Hermione's already going through - you couldn't let her have the comfort of an accurate book with answers, could you? hahaha I'm just saying, I know in a few chapters she's gonna have some serious grievences with whoever created that text and didn't fill it with the truth! LOL Anyway, I'm excited to continue reading and see all of the ways your version of vampires are unique!
Another great chapter, but it is defintiely hard to watch Hermione struggle with the basics. It was really tough to watch her grapple with the decision of whether or not to try pulling the chain herself to get into the Ministry after Ron didn't show. And not that we can blame Ron really, but he probably should have shown up? Considering he knows she can't enter on her own, at least. I know it was hard for him to walk away and give her that space she's been asking for, but gosh, for such a smart witch, Hermione sure is being foolish. She knows better than to push everyone away, and if it were anyone else, she'd never let them get away with it, but we're never quite objective towards ourselves, are we?
Excited to read more!
Author's Response:Ah, no Tanya. Sigh. There is no comfort found here. Not even in a book. I didn't even think that Hermione might have grievences with the author of the books. I know she has big grievences with me, though. She is absolutely livid. It was not only hard watching, but also writing her struggling with even the most basic task here. The whole thing with Ron is so messy, but she's really stuck her foot in it, being so bent on independence, even to her own detriment. At some point, you'd think she would accept things and stop fighting reality so hard, but she's definitely a fighter, and she's stubborn, so she will continue getting in her own way. Seriously though, if I had a cooperative character, this wouldn't be the story it is.
Foolishness hardly begins to describe what happens next. I hope you forgive me for indulging in some Big Foolishness later on. There is no objectivity. Only a driving need to do things the hardest way possible.
Thanks for reading!
Pix
I think the proper expression is Woof! Will Draco get a more pleasant ending than he deserves? Will Hermione turn him into mince pie? Can anyone hang over a cliff longer than Pix? Enquiring minds want to know!
This is yet another riveting chapter. Draco thinks he's got everything under control as he makes mental notes of how his experimental potion is effecting him, but he still winds up surprised as Death approaches in the form of Naughty Hermione. Hermione still tries to sort out what's happened (and continues happening) to her even as Draco tells her that Burns has mislead her - she completely neglects to evaluate whether she can believe either of them more than the other (in fact, she doesn't appear to notice what Draco's told her at all). This may well be the best chapter yet in this story. The way you've managed the characters here is great. Thanks for another fun read.
G
Author's Response:...
Yeah, this chapter...
I hate Draco Malfoy.
That Draco is really slick, ain't he? Still calculating all kinds of Slytheriny stuff while tripping! Lucky for Hermione he can't have her getting murdered where she is right now. She'd probably be very embarrassed to be found dead while dressed as today's hot lunch special, you know.
But . . . she's still on the edge - she's still asking about whatever is causing her to be so messed up but at the same time she may already be leaning over the abyss. Really excellent portrayal of the confusion that's about to overwhelm her; the way she's having to fight the mind control from the various sources of confusion is edge-of-the-seat stuff. Well done again, Pix.
G
Author's Response:I am so mad that I gave Draco cake for his birthday. He hardly deserves it. I should have given him chopped liver. Without the onions, because that would possibly make it okay. Actually, with all the stuff he's putting himself through, liver is a very good idea.
Yeah, Hermione would be extremely embarrassed. I am extremely embarrassed for her.
Thank you!
Pix
It's starting to look like that Burns guy might have been speaking truth - at least enoiugh of it to worry anybody who isn't already half-turned, eh? I guess Hermione's anger might have some basis in her subconcious knowledge that she's at least partially trapped - maybe completely trapped, but she's not sure how much to believe what she's been told. Too bad her only alternative sources of information are no more reliable than Burns is.
I'm not sure why you persist in badmouthing this story, Pix, cause I can't wait for the next bit of it. Okay, maybe I'm too chaotic, but this is great stuff. I love how you're handling the information flow.
G
Author's Response:Hi there!
You know what? I keep waiting for the information pacing to come up behind me and bite me in the ankles. Like it's doing now. Fortunately for you, it's happening in chapter 28, which gives me plenty of time and space to fix it up before I let it out into the world. Sometimes, keeping things simple IS the best policy. I just wish I knew how to do that. :P
Don't worry. I'm more badmouthing the idea of the story than the actual application of it. But I am also sad that I have gone too far past "I don't know what I'm doing" for it to be even remotely a valid statement. All I can do at this point is push this thing down the hill and hope that no one gets crushed when it stops at the bottom.
I will carry all of your compliments in my back pocket.
Pix
Pix
That Burns guy has somehow stuck a Morricone soundtrack in my head. That's one wicked dude you got there, Pix! And now Hermione's dilemma is really intense. Sort of reminds me of an old movie where a guy wakes up poisoned and has to hunt down his murderer before he croaks. Very twisty.
Hermione's got to figure out how reliable this Burns character is in one quick hurry, too. Even if he is reliable, he's got no apparent reason to cut her any breaks unless she does what profits him - and it looks like that means she's got to go full bloodsucker, eh? If she wants to stay righteous, she ain't got enough time. Mighty close to existential crisis! Excellent job, Pix!
G
Author's Response:I had to look up Morricone. If you're thinking The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, then yeah, it could work. Lol! Have you heard the Ukulele Orchestra do that one? It's great fun!
Burns, coincidentally, is an OC originally conceived in Rabbit Heart. He's one of my favorite guys. I have an OF that features him as a mentor to another vampire, so I had to put him here too. He loves flamethrowers. (shrug) To each his own, I guess.
Hermione doesn't know him from Merlin, so she wouldn't have any confidence in anything anyone says at this point. But someone's word has got to be better than stabbing in the dark.
Thanks!
Pix
Saint Draco does a miracle! And you tried to tell us you hadn't made peace with that tosser, Pix. Ha! Can't fool me, sport. Oh wait, he dumped Hermione in a damn stairweill. He's still a twerp.
So Hermione can't tell whether or not she's been turned, eh? I'd say this magic activity might be a hint - I dunno about undead doing magic stuff. I like how she seems to be having trouble processing the changes - after being down for so long, Hermione's got to be expecting the "new normal" to be permanent even if there's a miracle dancing in front of her eyes. Bet it's hard on her thinking the miracle is from Malfoy, too! Whatever's going on, it's still great fun to read, so thanks again. This story's terrific.
George
Author's Response:Hi!
Oh, yes. Very much of a twerp. I don't know about undead doing magic either, but I made stuff up anyway. Worldbuilding is my favorite part, to be honest. I'm so glad you are having fun reading this story!
Thanks for your words!
Pix
Hi, Pix. You know how to put your character through the wringer. After everything that has happened to Hermione so far, now she realizes that she is in real danger of losing her job. She is torn between letting Henry go because he needs something better, and hanging onto him because she needs him too. Could he be replaced by a cheaper, less talented/educated assistant who really is "nothing more than Hermione Granger's magic wand? It looks like Gringor Alabastor wants to get rid of her and her radical ideas, so he's setting her up to fail.
Dr. Metzker's failure to return Hermione's calls is highly suspicious, as was her sending Hermione alone to that warehouse. I wonder why Hermione doesn't smell a rat here. The good Doctor M has her own agenda here, and it's not Hermione's best interests.
So now she's going to try to travel across London to an unfamiliar address by public transportation. Actually, Muggle Londoners do that sucessfully all the time, even Muggles with disabilities, so it should be doable. Right? We'll see how it goes.
I am reminded of a television play I saw ages ago about a family whose young son had some sort of wasting muscular disease, maybe muscular dystrophy, and the parents were adamant about his trying to walk everywhere and not use a wheelchair, even when it became plain that his quality of life was suffering. In the final scene the boy is crawling on the floor to reach the wheelchair and pulls himself up into it, in defiance of his parents' refusal to face reality. It was emotionally a hard-hitting scene, and I've never forgotten it. Reading about Hermione's behavior in this story, I thought of that scene.
Interesting story. Will it have a happy ending? Quite possibly not. Thank you so much for writing!
Vicki
Hi, Pix.
Here for our review swap. You have characterized this story of Hermione, Draco, and the vampires as an off-the-wall dumpster fire. but it still displays your fine writing style, making me think that even a premise like this one will inevitably morph into a well-written story. Kind of like when I set out to write free verse, it always turns into meter and rhyme rather quickly.
My, my. Here we see Draco for the first time, and he is really at a low point in his life. His twenty-first birthday, but he has nothing good to say about himself. The Prickly Arse pub sounds like a real dive, where he associates with low characters and runs some sort of illegal, back-room business. How are the mighty fallen.
I wondered about his business and his sleeping poker-playing "friends." What is his relationship to these men? "He was just glad they were all there. Relieved they were still alive." He's not asking for much, is he?
Wow, that vampire lady is creepy to the maximum. She would like to suck blood from anybody, even Draco's "friends." And Hermione is trying to get more civil rights for vampires?
An intriguing plot that slowly reveals itself. The vampirre lady speaks enigmatically about how her fellow vampires have gotten into something dangerous which she calls "cursed blood." Are these the vampires who attacked Hermione in the warehouse? Was Hermione's blood cursed because of the odd, debilitating disease she has? Is her blood doing harm to the vampires? Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of folks.
The entire scene with Draco and the vampire lady is super-creepy. "Drinking from or turning wizards was expressly forbidden." Forbidden by whom? And do we think that vampires would obey any rules (or was that rule made up by the vampires themselves)? But aha! Wizard blood was a marvelous cure for vampires. (I'm betting you made up that little factoid.)
I will be sure to keep reading and reviewing! A fun story!
Vicki
Hiiii Pix,
Finally here for our review swap!
The author's note for this story is really interesting :) I haven't read a Dramione fic in so long and I'm definitely intrigued by your subtle/not-so-subtle warnings lol
WOW. Okay I just read the first chapter after leaving this note, and I was so shocked when I actually figured out who she was meeting, and what they were going to do to her. This is such an interesting premise, and I'm excited to read more! Now, back to the beginning.
You have such a distinct writing style, to me. I can really see the similarities between the character introductions here and in how to retire in regency england. I feel like I was dropped right into Hermione's world. I also really get gripped when a character who we know was a hero has a sort of falling from grace. Obviously, Hermione is still trying to do good in her work, but she at least feels like she's no longer the heroine she once was. That's such a good place to start a story of a former golden girl.
I wonder how much Dr. Metzker has to do with the vampires...are they in cahoots? I wonder how deep of a set-up this is, with the vampires. I could definitely see how they feel that this is the only way to actually get Hermione on their side, but obvisouly, this doesn't bode well for her.
Honestly, that whole scene is incredibly creepy, and it definitely felt violating. I can't imagine feeling so helpless like Hermione does in this scene, and you write it very well. And why will she not remember a thing? I have an inkling that Draco will be coming in to figure out what happened.
Thanks for a great introduction!
Cat
Author's Response:Hi Cat! Thanks for taking a look at this!
Ha! I didn't mean for my warnings to be subtle, but they're honest. Honestly, I think a lot of Dramione readers come for the fun. I'm not sure there's much fun to be had here, so I thought I'd at least give a warning, you know?
Anyway, the premise is the dumpsterfire idea. Who in their right mind would think up such a thing??? (raises hand) Ah well. Some things cannot be helped. Ah, 'distinct writing style', eh? Tell me more!! Lol. Thanks. I'm glad you felt that the story started in the right place. That's always a struggle.
You have good wonderings. Thanks for a great review!
Pix
Well, Pix, looks like Draco finally made peace with you, eh? I mean you let him eat cake, didn't you? He's still a cranky bastard though, so I gotta wonder how he's going to deal with having Hermione on his hands once she wakes up.
I also gotta wonder how Hermione got herself in the headline of the Prophet while her boss is busy eliminating her from history. And even curiouser is how someone got her an appointment to become vampire bait and then sends her to Draco for the juice! I salute you, my friend, as the embodiment of chaos! This is fantastic stuff. I'm overwhelmed by your imagery. Thanks so much.
George
Author's Response:*snort*
Draco and I are not at peace. We've stopped throwing mud for the time being, and that's all I can promise.
Let's pretend that you being overwhelmed is a compliment. I can't believe someone is actually reading this thing. LOL!
Thank you. :P
Pix
Hello again Pix! Back with another review! :-D
I really liked this chapter, it might be my favorite so far! Firstly, what a relief it was only Ron in the flat and not something more sinister after last chapter's cliffhanger! But speaking of Ron, that poor guy! Like, obviously what Hermione is going through is terrible, and all of her struggles and the way she wants to handle it and get through it is valid, but Ron is really taking a lot of hits and being put through his own battles as well. It's obvioulsy hard to be the one something bad happens to, but that doesn't make it easy for the people who love that person, and Ron loves Hermione and is doing everything he can - including things he doesn't want to have to do but that she asked for anyway - to help, and she's giving him very little. Obviously she doesn't realize til after he leaves that she's been missing an entire day more than she thought, but poor Ron is just worried sick. She's already left him romantically, and he is still putting his entire heart into protecting her, and she really minimized those feelings in this chapter (although, again, not entirely her fault).
I really loved the way you revealed that Hermione had missed a lot more time than she thought she had. It was a very slow reveal that we sort of realize alongside with her, rather than way before her as a reader. The theme of the Thai food was a lovely touch - it played on both memories of Ron and Hermione's romantic past, as well as marking a significant moment of realization with the time lost - that he didn't smell like Thai food for no reason, but because they were meant to go together to get it, and she missed it, thinking the date wasn't until tomorrow night still. There was a really nice balance this entire chapter between what could have been and what actually was, and it was very sad, really, the way it fell apart, when it's clear how much Ron still loves her.
Also, I just thought you Ron was very well-written and in character and authentic!
Dr Metzker has some serious questions to answer, my goodness. It seems like she was set up, and he knew about the attacks happening to Muggles in central London, and he sent Hermione right to them, as a now maybe Muggle again? Very hard seeing her struggle so much with her identity, but very easy to understand why.
Another great chapter! ^,^
Author's Response:Hi Tanya!
You are right. Poor Ron. And also, poor Hermione, who doesn't have the capacity to take his love and his help and be okay with all of it. It's a pretty upsetting situation.
Oh yay, the Thai food! That was a reboot addition, and I loved the way it came out, pulling more specifics out of the situation, giving her something tangible to express herself with, and also being food, and a symbol of hope for maybe repairing what they had. All the good things!
Dr. Metzker has a lot of explaining to do.
Thanks for another lovely review!
Pix
Hello again, my friend!
My goodness, you are really putting Hermione through it! hahaha She's too stubborn for her own good, too, she should have used that Ministry coin the moment she woke up. That is a terrifying situation to find yourself in, so unsafe, and I don't know what she's thinking being so stubborn here. She should definitely know better, clever as she is, but I understand she's lost so much of herself already, that asking for help probably feels like admitting defeat.
I love your writing, you do a great job at setting the scene, as well as giving us glimpses of her post-war background - how she got the injury, her relationship with Ron, how they dealt with it all, how she eventually chose to quit treatment and accept that she would live a Muggle life instead. I really loved the part where you talk about magic having its limitations - it's so true. You hear the word magic and assume anything is possible - because it's magic! - but it's actually just not the case.
The ending! Who is in her flat?? Or who has been in her flat, at least, and left the light on? Cliffhanger! I will obviously have to come back for more! Well done on another great chapter!
Author's Response:Hi there!!!
Oh gosh, yes. Hermione doesn't stand a chance with her stubbornness. It only gets a person so far in life, and then everything just falls apart.
Like getting eaten by vampires.
Thanks so much for coming back to this story! I loved hearing your thoughts on this dumpster fire idea!
Pix
Hiya Pix! Here for the Snowball Fight!
Okay, I'm under the impression that you don't really take this story very seriously, but I'm totally here for it anyway, so what does that say about me? I don't know, but I'm excited to see where in the world you are going with this!
Firstly, magic-less Hermione is so hard to imagine, even as a Muggle-born witch who once upon a time had no idea magic existed, I cannot imagine her without it now, after all she's accomplished. It's so heartbreaking to see someone so gifted struggle just to pay the cabby! You do a great job conveying her difficulties with having to adjust to this new situation, while also keeping that mindset that she can still do great things as she is now. I think if canon Hermione lost her abilities, she would face it this way as well. It feels very authentic to her character.
The vampire scene was so fun! But damn, girl, was she set up? What the hell? The hopelessness of her situation is so potent in this section, when she can't grab for her wand for help, can't even use both hands and arms to defend herself against this attack! I think this is such a great foundation here, an excellent first chapter, because you leave the reader with so many questions and very few answers, so we must know more! I aslo love that this feels like it could go any direction, and I am here for it.
I'm not a top Dramione shipper, but I do enjoy a guilty pleasure read every once in awhile, I won't lie, and even though I know they will definitely not be working out here, I'm excited to see their interactions in later chapters and how they act around each other these days and under these circumstances!
Author's Response:Hi there!
Ha! Okay, so as far as writing the story, I take it as seriously as anything else I write. As far as personally dealing with the content of this story, I had to take a BIG step back and just let it go where it was going without personal bias. That's the part I'm taking less seriously than everything else because otherwise, I don't think I could get through this fic without making a great big bonfire of this idea.
Hermione is in for a bad ride. I already promised myself that I won't apologize for the story, but I do feel really awful for her. It won't get any better, unfortunately. Ah, I hope you are here for it, becuase I might occasionally duck out the back and pretend that I'm not the one writing this story. ;) I'll let you take over anytime. And also, I will be lying to myself as a coping mechanism.
Thanks so much for reading and your encouraging comments!
Pix
Dang, Pix, Hermione is sure in a pickle! Draco's got her sucking down blood with high octane additives, and he don't care. He's such a dweeb. Quick hands, though, catching all that stuff she tossed - might want to get him into the NBA or something, eh? And all he's got to say about how messed up she is, is that it's an interesting start to his day? Really?
Actually, though, I was wondering if you had any particular inspiration for Hermione's symptoms after Draco dosed her, cause I vaguely recall (for reasons that should be obvious with a bit of cogitation) similar symptoms from some odd brown crystalline product that should not be smoked by anyone who prefers to remain unparalyzed. That, as they say, is a long other story, though - so we're left to wonder if Hermione is stuck with Draco's potioned-up blood or if she's just another vampire now. I guess maybe someday we'll find out, huh?
I still think this is a great story, by the way, even if it's making me crazier than usual. Thanks!
G
Author's Response:Hi G!
LOL!
I am so happy that you are getting into the spirit of not taking this story seriously with me. Good gads, what was I thinking, writing this???
I don't even want to know anymore. In fact, I spend an awful lot of time NOT thinking about what I was thinking about... if that's even possible.
Yes. Let's get Draco into the NBA. Also, let's get Hermione into one of those programs that allows her to come back to her senses. And no, I do not have any specific inspirations regarding Hermione's symptoms other than my own warped imagination. If they are akin to any RL symptoms of consuming any type of existing substances, I can say with all honesty that it is purely coincidental. Guess my imagination is in tune with the collective cogniscence of the universe. I can say that I've watched all of Breaking Bad. ;)
I hope your craziness is short-lived and not entirely a by-product of reading this story. I would hate to be responsible for misplacing your marbles. You need them to finish your own story!
Pix
Merry belated Christmas, Pix!
Even with the quirky vampiric ideas you never fail to disappoint. I thought you captured a magicless Hermione really well. She'd always been extremely proud of her abilities and though she's lost those abilities she obviously hasn't lost her pride. She feels shame and a longing for what she's no longer capable of, but she's still prideful - refusing to let obstacles stop her no matter how difficult. Your description of her struggles was extremely well done too as I initially had her pegged with a broken arm.
And ah yes, the vampires...I wonder how they will impact the story. They certainly have some magical or at least quasi-magical properties despite their status with the Ministry. Will being turned (I assume that's what's happening) help restore her magic? They're obviously regarded as dark beings (and do little to shed that reputation here), but can they truly demonstrate through whatever they're doing that they can play a productive role in society? If she is turned, will her newfound vampirism cause Hermione to crumble farther into a belief that she is somehow subhuman - like Draco Malfoy has sort of spat at her before - and will that be the cause of falling into a toxic relationship with him? Blackmail? Self-hatred? Some combination?
As usual you have left exactly the amount of burning questions to keep people reading and as I try to return to the site perhaps this will be an ongoing hook.
Thanks for another wonderful story!
Author's Response:Oh hey!!
He's alive!!!
Thanks so much for trying out this dumpster fire idea of a story! I told myself that I will not apologize for it, but it's hard. Like, it's really, really hard.
You've picked up on the main themes of this story already. I'm glad I projected them so strongly in this first chapter, because it's important to set up expectations right out of the gate. Sometimes I fail to do that, and the story ends up disappointing readers for various reasons.
I do hope you get a chance to come back to the site and participate, even if it's just to drop in from time to time. It is really good to "see" you around, my friend!
Pix
Holy shamoly, Pix! Things are looking mighty evil in that hilariously named public house, yes indeed. Hermione is going to wind up in thrall to Draco's vile potions? Wicked! Once more you've poured out a chapter impossible to put aside once begun. This story is obviously not my cuppa, but it is sure terrific in both the literal and figurative senses! Great chapter! Thanks.
G
Author's Response:LOL!
I really don't know what else to say, except thanks for continuing to read this dumpser fire of an idea.
Pix
Whoa whoa whoa! Hermione's been double-crossed by her boss? (I mean, essentially?) For him to sink her proposal after all her prior support.
Although, on the other hand, I am thinking about the statement early on in this chapter that her boss "excelled at choosing sides" and if he could be convinced in favor of something he'd see it through. Maybe in Hermione's absence someone just had an opportunity to convince him to the other side. Or maybe this has been brewing for some time. Wonder what the new agenda is??
The case Hermione is reviewing now appears to be connected to the Muggle attacks Ron mentioned previously? And then I wonder if the vampires who attacked Hermione are connected with all of that. And if maybe they didn't intend to attack her if/when they expected a witch showing up to meet with them, but when they could maybe sense (??) she had no magic they simply took the opportunity?
Mayhaps Malfoy will have the answers (and, of course, more problems). :P
I love this dark, intriguing mystery!
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:Hi again!
Yes, I know. It keeps getting worse. You definitely caught all the things. It... umm... doesn't get any better.
Pix
Pix I'm here for our swap!! I re-read the previous 3 chapters which I had reviewed before, and I know you said you've revamped the story but the essentials definitely were all familiar to me.
You are going to break my heart with the broken Romione here! I know when I was last reviewing this fic I commented on how wonderfully you've balanced a broken Romione relationship, able to show their respective frustrations without assigning blame as the narrator, and showing that the end of a relationship doesn't always equate with the end of the love. And what I want to say further on that point now, is that there's something about this kind of breakup that is so much worse than if they were hostile and hated each other, or if one had indisputably wronged the other. Because with a scenario like this one you've written, there's always that lingering possibility and hope, and what you could have had (and maybe could still have) is just taunting you.
You know, and on top of that, Hermione's dealing with stuff that support is available for but she is rejecting. So like, he has to watch as she struggles (in his opinion, needlessly). And she has to struggle and maybe have a good reason for needing the solitude, but it's so human to want to be cared for.
Anyway, the point is you're wrecking me.
I'm definitely no expert on what, mentally and emotionally, is the best way for a person in Hermione's position to handle her relationships with other people. And there is certainly a lot of sense in keeping yourself from being too reliant on others because that could hinder self-reliance, and some independence in achiving that is going to be necessary. But on the other hand, has she gone too far in the other direction? Rejecting the support of loving relationships because she doesn't want to feel embarrassed and pitied? Even to the point of removing herself as much as possible from the Weasley family circle, even though they were always significant in her life even before she dated Ron. There's something in her approach that feels very self-destructive. But that also makes sense because self-care and balance was never Hermione's forte.
A lot of this seems to boil down to her feeling like she is no longer a real part of the magical world, and therefore she must preemptively wall herself off from anyone associated with that world. Which is quite a black and white way of looking at things, and actually very ironic considering that conversation she had with Ron about the Muggle attacks and how isolationism isn't always the answer!
I could go on and on, but instead I shall go on to the next chapter!
<3 Melanie
Author's Response:
Hi! Thanks for the swap! I really appreciate you coming back to this story to let me know how the reboot is coming along.
Okay, so I promised myself that I would not apologize for this story. There's a lot of stuff in here that I don't agree with, including the main characters. However, I will apologize to you for wrecking the Romione ship. It got wrecked hard. I almost miss writing Romance...
All of your thoughts are spot on for basically what I was wrestling with in this chapter. Getting Hermione to buy into this mindset was hard. There was definitely a lot of demolition involved. I think you hit on all the support beams.
Pix
Hey, Pix, I've tried a couple times to leave a review for you on this chapter but I seem to be snake-bit, or at least the review button is. I'm trying again though, cause this is a good chapter!
Nice use of Neville to bring us up to speed on Ron, now that Hermione's got him in a snit. If only he'd been a little slower so we'd know what Hermione really thinks of her boss, eh? I have to wonder how she's managed to hide her condition from Neville, if he's not included in the people she's pushed away because they know she's lost her magic. Still and all, he's obviously good old faithful friend Neville who won't be swayed by any silly opinions about who's magical enough to be his friend. Good choice for doling out a little information to us while still keeping us totally in the dark LOL!
Hermione trying to travel via the tube while her symptoms keep getting nastier sounds like it'll make for a real nail-biter of a next chapter. And what's up with the Doc (you know, the one I think is up to something) that he's not taking her calls? Did the vampires get him too? Inquiring minds, you know! Thanks for the story, Pix.
George
Author's Response:Hi!
Adding Nevile to the reboot was a last-minute cast change. I think he works well, or at least that's what my beta (and now you) told me. :)
Yeah, I know your feelings on the doctor. I feel the same way. Don't worry. It's all going to be in there, somewhere.
Thanks for reading!
Pix
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