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AHHHHHHHH!!!!! I don't even know that I have words to keep reviewing. These chapters are so freaking fluffy and lovey and warm and swoon and <3 <3 <3 That she can't sleep because she just can't believe it's real. The sort of happiness that never gets comfortable, it just gets bearable. What a fucking line. I am so in my feels right now.
Hard on the lips, soft on his soul :ELMO FIRE: This is usually the part of the story that has me so in my warm and fuzzies that I start to think something terrible is about to happen, but so much terrible has already happened for these two and I'm going to tell that voice to shut up. They're so happy and moving forward and Harry's throwing that clout around like the baller he's always been. Hells yes.
It's honestly never made sense to me that he'd become an Auror after all he went through cause he was such a reluctant hero to begin with so I really love the way you bring that into this story. This sense of duty and nobility that he has is what drives him more than thrill seeking or adventure.
THEY ARE SO FUCKING PRECIOUS <3 <3 <3 Seriously so much :heart eyes: for these two. I can't get over how consistenly you write them. This rejection of the society that just wants from them is so on brand. Hell yess get out of there Potter! Run away with your girl! <3
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! YOU AREN'T ALLOWED TO JUST WRITE SHIT LIKE THIS AND MOVE ON FROM IT?! The way he races down to see her - fuck the paps <3 and that ending paragraph. COME. ON. She's what gets him through all of it - he doesn't need awards or honor or anyone else to even remeber his name. I'M NOT CRYING YOU ARE! <3 <3 <3
I can't get over how you write Harry's grief. It's so just like I don't know casual? Like it's not the focus of anything it's just his reality and it's how he's processing it and everyone else is out there making it a big thing and he can't let it be a big thing because he's just still so fucking sad about it. It's perfect.
And the way you write is wonderful, if I haven't said that yet. The way you bob and weave your phases so they have a rhythm to it. And how you use tags and descriptions around talking. It's all really well done.
Can I tell you how happy it makes me when these guys laugh? I just AHHHHHH it's so fluffy and precious and I love them and will protect them at all costs. This chapter was hysterical. An unexpected use of the prompt - which is the best kind of use of a prompt XD
I really liked how you described Ron as laying on the couch so defeated he's just sprawled out all over it. That painted a vivid picture XD And then he shuts Ginny out and says they can wipe her memory XD XD XD Loved.
These two are fucking everything. I mean it. I love that she's like - bro you can't just live in this fairy dream world where everything works out and he's like...umm....I'm Harry fucking Potter. This is going to work out or I'll work it the fuck out XD
AND THEN YOU HAD TO DO ME DIRTY WITH THE FUCKING MOON MOMENT?!! Don't mind me I'm just over here BAWLING because of Remus and Teddy and how beautifully tragic that whole moment was. <3 <3 <3
XD XD XD That ending line is everything. This was a really sweet and adorable chapter. The feeling of youth is just everywhere in it and I these two freaking deserve a bit of that! I love the rooftop prompt and have really enjoyed reading everyone's take on it. I don't know why, but roofs just make me feel invincible - like anything is possible - and you captured that in this chapter. <3 <3 <3 They're whole lives are still yet to come.
Oh this chapter just wrapped me in this warm hug and nuzzled me close and I just loved it <3 <3 <3 Seriously can't get over how well you're able to pull these fluffy soft moments out of the strife and saddness they've endured. It's there, but it's not dwelled upon and it's not glossed over - it's just a part of them <3 <3 <3
Yes. More of this. Yep. Living here. Planting roots. Paying taxes. <3 <3 <3
The way you've captured all of these characters. Ron speaking up for Harry and being the bro that he is. Harry being jealous but too polite to say anything until he's out of earshot. And then being too jealousy not to say something to Ginny. And Ginny being quick as a whip to put him in his place XD I love that they're flawed. I love that their relationship isn't easy. This is such a beautiful story so far <3 <3 <3
EXCUSE ME?!?! Fists that refuse to let go of the whole world - that will always hold her whole heart. You're just gonna write that sentence and then go about your day? Incredible.
I'm obsessed with how well you've captured these characters so quickly and in these short chapters. The fact that Ginny just calls him out on not having to safe the world everytime cause she just knows him. <3 <3 <3
You don't know me like this...but I'm bout to POP THE FUCK OFF! WHAT A FUCKING INTRO! I have not had the pleasure of reading any of your work yet and can I tell you how excited I am to get into this collection?!
The way this is under 1000 words and full of so much emotion and despair and then so much warmth?! MIND. BLOWN. I can't get over the ending - how you brought in the idea of a tattoo and the scars :chef's kiss: and the last line. THE LAST LINE!?
There are people who will tell you this was too dark and angsty to be fluff and those people ARE FUCKING WRONG. The beauty found in the midst of tragedy and my fucking zipcode and I will LIVE HERE thank you very much XD
Author's Response:Ahhhh thank you so much for this review! This story has grown to mean so much to mean so thank you for having put in the effort to create the challenge that prompted me to do this <3 Quilly
Hi, Quilly! :)
Here for tag and to catch up with this great fic! <3
Aww, poor Ginny... :( Of course, growing up and being a mother would change your priorities and things that were important and gave you joy once might not be the same now. And I'm not a mother, but feeling like you're hurting your children, or feeling like you are unneeded by them, must be the absolute worst things, and Ginny is sort of feeling both right now, so I can't blame her at all for breaking down a little here... :/
Harry is just as loving and supportive as usual! I will never tire of the way you write them as a couple, the complicity and constant support, no matter what! Of course he would be proud of her and certain that she's doing her best and that whichever decision she makes it will be the best one. <3 And I love how thinking about what she would say to Lily if she asked for similar advice was what made her come to a decision. Sometimes you just need to look at things from a different perspective, right? :)
Harry scoffs at her playfully. "You always have to top my advice, don't you?" This line is so cute and funny! Love it! :D
And I love the "okay"s when she tells him what she's going to do. He's going to trust her decision, whichever it is, and support her choice, and that's lovely! <3
Another beautiful chapter!
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Ahhh another, surprise we're pregnant! prompt. But of course it feels different because this third child is planned. I often wonder what makes folks decide on having a certain number of children. One seems totally normal to me, even two, but anything where they can outnumber you + your spouse is always personally sus to me LOL. But clearly Ginny and Harry have a plan in mind and it's all going according to plan. Except the part about Harry being unable to catch James LOLZ.
There's so much irony in this piece related to what you can control. As "Head of the Auror Office," Harry should have some modicum of control, and yet, with children there is no such thing. And they are attempting to control the number of children they have as like a way to control the chaos, but you're just gonna get three dozes of it Hinny hah. But it's all good, wholesome family fun! <3
I also adored the slice of life with James and Teddy pantomiming a dog because Harry told them about Sirius. Just a great anecdote to really shed light on the kind of family this is! And of course, LOVED that end line! Cheeky Potters are always good for a much needed romp.
<3 Courtney
TAG! (Unless the gods have other plans!)
Hi Quilly! Sneaking back into the tag queue (maybe) to leave you another review!
Eep! I loved how this one sort of ebbed and flowed from an action standpoint. I think forehead touches are like "definite pauses," and you definitely show that here.
The opening really sets where both Harry and Ginny are in their lives. And LOL laughed at Percy's "you're blocking the cupcakes." But him being big brotherly and trying to assuage her fears...always will have feelings about that.
I also really like how this isn't the first time Ginny feels a bit insecure beside Harry/his accomplishements and/or "fans." But each and every time, he always brings her close and makes her feel extra special. It's almost like he knows that she needs it and shows her in this meaningful, little aside here.
And of course, who doesn't love a "let's sneak away and bang," premise? Christening the office seems rather appropriate for them. They're both daring and super into one another and it shows very clearly here. There's also something about quick, desperate sex that makes it apparent that Harry wants her and her wants her to know it even more than words can describe. And to make her feel less insecure about his popularity too.
Anyway, lovely job here!
<3 Courtney
I'm not crying, you are! Omgawsh Quilly, I was definitely not expecting this story to take this turn. But I thought it was so well done!
You sort of take the idea of meaningless, meandering conversations that can happen when you are drunk and give it some serious meaning and straightforwardness in this piece.
And I totally love that it was Ginny going off on the trio because that's how I would totally predict her to be while drunk. She's right though, they don't know what she went through and she doesn't know what they did. So there's a definite discount on this subject with them. But they are participating in an activity that's supposed to bring them together. And I just thought it was SO POIGNANT for you to end it with them toasting Luna because that totally brings them together, both in agreement on the topic at hand and on the same emotional level as well.
And Ginny's line...ahhh...hit me hard in the chest! :sobbing:
<3 Courtney
TAG! (Unless the gods have other plans)
There were so many amazing lines in this one, but THIS is probably my favorite.
"Ginny reckons it makes sense that he should have her eyes - all she can see is him."
I really just loved the tenderness you evoke in this piece following the aftermath of childbirth. There's something sweet about a man crying afterwards. I love how Harry is hyperfocused on both of them and Ginny is hyperfocused on James. It really speaks to how they will be as parents and who they will grow into in In This Darkness.
I thought how you applied this prompt really made sense and added to the vibe of slowly crashing after an intense labor. It felt relatable and I loved how one of the words to describe the kiss was "random." It was funny and made me smile for reasons I cannot properly explain.
Anyway, another prompt well done!
<3 Courtney
TAG! (Unless the gods have other plans)
Hi, Quilly. Here is the second of the two reviews I promised for our Review Swap (and the review that brings my review total to 1,000!)
Oh, my, we mothers can sympathize with Ginny in this situation, being torn between our jobs and our children, feeling stabbed in the heart when they beg us not to go to work.
A recurrent theme I see in your series of fluffy chapters is that Harry or Ginny or both of them are dealing with serious and not particularly fluffy situations, but the one of them supports the other (or sometimes it's mutual), so that this support leads to comfort and hope rather than hurt and estrangement.
That's about as fluffy as we can reasonably hope life to be, don't you think?
I wondered, as I read this chapter, what Ginny's decision would be in the end. I'm sort of glad she decided to continue with her contract. I was afraid that she would make a sudden decision (not completely thought out) to resign her position and then agonize later about whether she should have taken that step. Her present plan is workable and reliable. She probably will not regret it in the years to come.
It is good to ssee that Harry doesn't tell her what to decide or pass judgment on her feelings (don't we wish all husbands were like that!) He lets her make up her own mind on an issue where there are no perfect solutions.
Nicely written. I am enjoying these chapters of yours, some of which stretch the definition of 'fluff' rather far, but they always have happy endings, and we will let Rogue Slytherin be the final judge of fluff!
Thank you so much for doing this rreview swap with me.
Vicki
Author's Response:First of all, congratulations for arriving to 1000 reviews! That's such a major accomplishement!!!
I always kind of knew that this fluff collection would be with the "what does fluff look like for Harry and Ginny?" sort of mentality. I think these two characters were bound to do fluff differently than most couples. They're both not innately very romantic. Harry fell in love with her because she was funny and strong. Ginny fell in love with him because he was brave and always did the right thing. The fluffy stuff was secondary to them and while they have their romantic moments as adults, it'smoments like this where they truly appreciate one another.
I'm glad that you agree that Ginny following her contract makes the most sense. I also think this allowed her some time to give everything further thought and make this a decision she felt really sure about. Like you say, there are no perfect solutions, but she finds her joy in the end. Thank you so much for doing this swap and all your wonderful, kind words. I always appreciate hearing from you <3 Quilly
Hi, Quilly. Here for the first review for our Review Swap.
For a story that's supposed to be fluffy, this one is pretty deep and serious. I like it like that.
Although the prompt says "Drunk confession," I don't see these characters as really being drunk (slurring their words, staggering when they walk, laughing hilariously at statements that are not at all funny); their tongues have just been loosened a little by alcohol so that they say things they normally would choose not to say, or speak without fully considering their words.
Examples of that are Ron's remark that the wedding invitations look childish (he might not insult Luna like that if he were cold stone sober) and Ginny's insult to him that he has no creativity (if she were cold stone sober, she might stop to think how that would make him feel).
But the rest of the conversation is brutally honest, none of this "We don't say things that we've agreed not to say." You show this with "Ginny goes on...now on a rampage to defend her friend," and then "Harry thinks she might've stopped there altogether if she'd been sober." If she had been really textbook drunk, she wouldn't have been able to speak so eloquently and plainly. You have captured her right at that borderline where she can still perform competently but her inhibitions are down and the truth can shine through.
Your lines immeiately after the words "...I realized she had won and not them" were bautifullyl written. I like the metaphor of drowning long after you've reached shore safely.
There is a universal application in this story for many of us--the concept of hoping that someone would die quickly when there seems to be no hope for a happy outcome. Many people have been in this position; sometimes it's an easy call to make, and sometimes not.
A litttle concrit: I think you are missing a word in the sentence "...the fact that she'd known ___ had to be a better friend to them than anyone had ever been to her." In my mind I put the word 'she' into that blank space.
Thank you so much for this serious and thought-provoking story.
Vicki
Author's Response:Haha they're definitely not drunk to the point where they're staggering or making little sense of their words. It's less of 'we got sloshed at a party' and more of a 'we maye should've have opened that last bottle of wine' kind of drunk. After all, they have their kids upstairs. I'm so glad you understood Ginny's words as a universal application that fits many people. She definitely cared about Luna very deeply and was heartbroken to know that she was in a position where could've been tortured to madness, so yeah, it came from a place of love, but like you say, it's not an a thought that one arrives at very easily. Thank you so much for pointing out that missing word. I need to go back and edit. I really appreciate your careful eye and all your insightful words <3 Quilly
Ahhh fuck, how did I miss this chapter originally LOL?!
Anyway. This was supremely lovely! I love that "terms of endearment," is a piece of this with the talk of "little bean." But I also like that it's about names in general. The Potter name, selecting a proper name for the child, the not so nice names the papers might call Ginny, etc.
THEM CONSIDERING ARTHUR (I am an emotion about that). But I love that she's tentative about James and he doesn't remark on it, but suggests Lily instead. It's almost like they're both silently battling on the gender, which is amusing since they are both people who like to be in control and this is something that is totally about our their control LOL.
And the impromptu proposal! Gah! Perfect! Especially with this line here!
"She only thinks about Harry and about James and about what a beautiful thing it is to be a Potter and how much she wants to become one too."
I love how you tied it all together here!
The setting was also very cozy. And we could tell this little insulated world of theirs is a safe place for them, even with all the uncertainty that comes with having a baby.
<3 Courtney
TAG (unless the gods have other plans)
Author's Response:haha this was me wanting to believe that Harry didn't just choose all of his children's names and that they considered Ginny's side of the family too ;P And they're definitely silently battling on the gender. Ginnys' more set on staying firm with her gut feeling. Harry's more like, well it could be either, let's be ready for either haha Thank you for this lovely review <3
Fingers digging into lower backs during late pregnancy.
Thumbs brushing across lips.
Heads turning at the sound of laughter.
Quilly, all these little tactical details set this scene in such a perfect way!
And then this:
“Well neither do I,” says Ginny, “but I’ve married a terrible bore whose only hobby consists of saving the world, so I reckon we must.”
^^ LOL, I love it!
I really like how you show the changing political climate (and perhaps make a little reference to real life political bullshit in the US), how we can sense there is darkness and trepidation in the world, but Ginny and Harry are the light of this piece who bring us hope with their love. It's an excellent way to build upon this universe while still maintaining the fluffy core of this series.
I also want to comment on how much I loved Ginny saying that this time they wouldn't chase the darkness, but they would meet it. I thought it was a very "adult" way of still doing the right thing, standing up for what you believe in, in a different sort of way because your life circumstances are different now and you have to adapt.
Wonderful!
<3 Courtney
TAG (Unless the gods have other plans!)
Author's Response:Lol I mean real life poltiical bullshit offers no shortage of inspiration, unfortunately. But yeah, I think you said it perfectly, there will always be dark stuff going on but growing up means realizing you're not always in control and the world is not perfect and that doesn't mean you accept the injustices but you do learn your limitations. Thank you so much for your review <3 Quilly
Hi Quilly! I absolutely love how you are taking bits of In This Darkness and sort of merging them together in these little drabbles and then expanding upon these drabbles to give your universe this really rich backstory!
I also love how within this piece there is a sort of metaphorical "getting lost" and a literal "getting lost," theme. They seriously build so nicely off of one another to create this really dynamic piece.
I also love the whole concept of trying to outrun your past because there's a lot of trauma and hardship associated with it. I think it's totally valid that Harry would resort to this but I love that you have Ginny as this unbiased source, Who is always telling him that in spite of all the bad things that have happened in his past there is good too.
And I love that she tells him this in other ways in other drabbles that you've written and I love that she's sort of narrating this history that he's not familiar with of his grandfather. I think it's just this really beautiful concept that you've laid out in a way that seamlessly fits in with the action of this particular piece. Like it doesn't feel trite or like you're trying to hard to make a point. It all fits together in this well-crafted way.
I also love the backstory with Fleamont Potter! I have no idea if that is Canon or your own creation but it is brilliant!
A totally heartfelt installment that definitely gives Harry this full cycle moment! And all because of Ginevra!
<3 Courtney
TAG! (Unless the gods have other plans)
Author's Response:I think it's hard to feel like you belong to a family that you've never met but Harry definitely does and I wanted to him to be able to have something that made him at peace with his past and allowed him to move forward with his own family. Thank you for the review <3
Tag!
;skjdhsj;kg how many ways and reasons do I love this? This territory can be so fraught, but it isn't inherently unfeminist for someone to make this kind of decision, and I'm glad you explored it so directly with Ginny. And her struggle isn't so much in giving up Quidditch -- it's in giving up her prior expectations for herself, which is so incredibly relatable. Ginny Weasley might never have imagined herself doing this, but Ginny Weasley didn't have three kids and love them more than anything else. And it's okay for her to love them more than Quidditch and it's okay for her to have changed her priorities in life. But embracing changing priorities is hard, especially when you start to get all in your head about whether you're doing it for the wrong reasons. But idk, I think the right reasons must be whatever makes you happy, and the irony of this is that the only thing holding Ginny back from pursuing what she really wants to now is concern over how that makes her look, in a way, which is something we typically don't think of Ginny being worried about.
Also the thing the probably makes this a million times better is how supportive Harry is, and seriously supportive of whatever she wants to do -- not guilting her either way, encouraging her to still go to matches, insisting that she's a wonderful mum. And she probably is, and she might be imagining the situation is worse than it is. And there are parents who spend this kind of time away from their kids and it works for them, but that doesn't mean she has to make it work for her just to prove a point. <3
Melanie
Author's Response:Saying that she's struggling to give up her expecations of herself is exactly the right way to word it. But yeah, there's a lot of doubt going on, am I being a bad mother, a bad wife, a bad feminist, a bad team player and, in the end, it's hard to look inside onself and be like, okay, what do *I* want *now*? What will make *me* happy? I'm glad you enjoyed it and that the overall point of it made sense to you . <3 Quilly
OMG QUILLY! I love an unexpected pregnancy plot done well! And I absolutely love the way you began this with "they never disappoint one another." Because that it totally something that someone could be disappointed about especially if it is not planned...yet Harry reacts perfectly!
And Ginny omg being so strong and certain and "I'm gonna keep it but you don't have to..." and he's like OMG THIS IS OUR BABY, MADE UP OF US AND I ALREADY LOVE IT...it's such a swoon worthy response!
And I love how they're away from home whenever they discover this, it's likely a time In Australia they aren't soon to forget. And the end joke of "it's yours by the way," felt funny and it's just such an authentic thing to say whenever you're cry/laughing.
Absolutely heartwarming!
<3 Courtney
TAG! (Unless the gods have other plans)
Author's Response:Ginny was definitely freaking out. I think it's hard when you're one so used to being in control and having all the answers and the solutions and all of the sudden you find yourself in uncharted terroritory. But Harry was of course always going to be extremely thrilled and happy about it. I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter. It was a really fun one to write! <3 Quilly
Oh I am absolutely LOVING the chaos James is causing. I can just picture Harry and Ginny running around behind him despairing, but also feeling so proud and happy that he has the chance to be free and ridiculous like this.
The idea of James insisting on being a puppy all day is perfect, just as perfect as the idea of Teddy bringing treats! Adorable!
And OF COURSE James would be inspired by the Sirius Black stories! It's lovely that Harry has the chance to share stories about his dad and the marauders.
Haha Ginny's playing a dangerous game asking if he still wants another one. What would she have done if he'd said no? But, of course, it all worked out for them both and it's nice to see them so happy.
Another lovely chapter! Jem xx
ps. Tag! x
Author's Response:Haha James was just like Sirius = Dog = I'm Sirius = I'm a dog. But Teddy loves James and knows how to handle him best. I'm so glad you enjoyed that dynamics. And Ginny just wanted to hear his honest answers. if Harry had said no, I think they would've probably had a discussion about it and figured out a healthier way to balance his needs with the fact that they will now have three children but I think Ginny knew the answer deep down inside. They've been wanting another baby for a while now and this was just a tough day and it was her way of checking in with him. :) Thank you so much for another lovely review. <3 Quilly
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