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"silly medal for not letting an evil wizard do me off" sounds SO Harry. As does the idea of not wanting to celebrate anything about the war, not even the contributions to ending it, because none of it was a good experience or memory.
Also, what a beautifully written sex scene. And I love that there's so much passion all in like, 2 paragraphs!
<3
Author's Response:It wasn't going to be a sex scene. Then Ginny and Harry made it a sex scene. Lol
lmaoooooo this is adorable and too perfect omg. The Harry-Ron bromance alone would have been perfect but lol at Ginny showing up.
Author's Response:Lol I love a good bromance!
- Quilly
"It belongs to her now" sjfgasdhgfashf <3
Author's Response:Aw I'm so glad you liked that line!
- Quilly
Ahaha it's going to be very difficult to keep these to flash reviews as I just want to crack on about absolutely everything in here because there's so much you do so well. But I have about *checks notes* 200 chapters of various fics to get through, lmao.
One of my favorite things about In This Darkness is how you get into the effects of this fame on these interpersonal dynamics, and it's the same here. Harry's response is perfectly in character.
Catch me weeping at "we'll have a chance at a normal life"
<3
Author's Response:I'm so glad you picked up on how this issue carries on into ITD!
- Quilly
This flash review event is the perfect opportunity for me to catch up on what I’ve been missing over the past couple of months, so here we go!
I love the attention to these moments of irrational fears and jealousy, how even though he's Harry Potter he's not immune to feeling like this, or to comparing his relationship to others to see if he's doing it right.
Also LMAO at Ron and the giant bra.
<3
Author's Response:Harry's way cool and a catch but he definitely gets insecure at times. Ron and the giant bra were my favorite moment because I could SEE his face, ya know? Lol
Hi, there! I'm here for our swap.
This started out so angsty, and it ended up so fluffy. A nice melancholic fluff, which I think is the best kind of fluff. It's a really good contrast, and I love how you use that contrast to go between the two so well. And then it goes to smutty fluff, which is wonderful.
Ginny is so snarky and wonderful. You write her so well, and you write Harry so well, so, of course, you write the two of them together well. I really love the lines in the third-to-last paragraph because it's so beautifully written. This really was a joy to read, especially because of your description skills.
I don't know what else to say except that this is wonderful, and it's so artfully done. I am super excited to see all of the drabbles you have, and I have a feeling that I'll be spending quite a bit of time in this collection.
Thanks for the swap, and I hope you have a nice day!
-A
Author's Response:I'm so glad you enjoyed Ginny and Harry's characterization, that's always my biggest worry. Thank you so much for coming by with this review and all your kind words! The mean a lot <3
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly! Tag! :D
Aww, how cute! <3 I love this moment between them! I love your use of the prompt, Harry calling the child little bean, it's adorable! And I love the naming process... I've never been particularly fond of the Potter kids' names (Albus Severus? Honestly? :P) but I like how the name James came out. And to be fair, naming him Harry would be a terrible idea, James is 100 times better! :P
"I feel like I'm messing up his life enough, just by giving him my last name." Yeah, that makes sense, unfortunately... their kids are going to have a hard time, with all the notoriety... :/ but at least we know they'll be loved a lot, right? <3
And aww, the proposal!!! <3 I suppose it makes sense that it would happen, since they are waiting for a baby, but I'm also sure that Harry just wants to marry her because he loves her and just wants to, and I think it really comes across in the way you wrote that moment! Again, you make their love shine through so well and it makes me so happy! <3
Forgot to say, I also really loved the "How do you know it's a boy?" conversation! Such a classic, but it never gets old! :D A mother just knows, right? ;)
Loved this so much, as always! <3
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:The names Harry gave his kids are just... I can't. Haha And all of them felt like Harry's idea, so I wanted to give Ginny a say-so too. I'm so glad you can sense their love for each other coming through. That was definitely the goal <3 Thank you for the review!
- Quilly
Oh this is lovelyyyyy. It's the most horrible Christmas ever in the chronology, I'd think, but you take it on opening with this humor that totally works, even as the reason Ginny's cussing around the kitchen is because Molly's too grief-stricken to operate properly. :(
Love seeing a nod to the fact that Harry would know at least a thing or two about cooking, and how he and Ginny work so sweetly in tandem. Also enjoy your interpretation of him here as wanting to do everything properly, respectably, once he's moved past those sort of rudderless months following the end of the war.
Also I love that Charlie's 'contribution' is Percy, omg. <3
So beautiful.
<3 Melanie
tag again!
Author's Response:I really wanted to make sense of a grief that's still lingering after life has returned to normal. I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter - and the bit with Percy! <3
- Quilly
Ahhhh that way you absolutely nail their characterizations, I will never get enough of it. Harry and Ginny have always been daunting for me personally, both separately and together. Despite me never having had strong feelings about them as a ship, I do feel like there's something just so about them together that would be hard if not impossible to replicate if they were put with anyone else, if that makes sense. And you seem to really understand it.
The way Ginny understands him intuitively, the way she is strong enough to handle a relationship with a person who would be difficult to have a relationship with for various reasons -- BUT she's still a human being and she still gets to have insecurities, even if just minor or fleeting or irrational. It still gets to sting a little that he's not going back to school with her. She still gets to let him comfort her in his way he has of understanding her -- and vice versa. It's all just fabulous, and this is a depiction of Hinny I can really get behind. Romantic Harry who's actually in character? More, please!
"fists that refuse to let go of the whole world" STAHP, it's too perfect
Just incredible, I'm looking forward to reading more and getting back to Darkness as well!! <3
Melanie
(tag!)
Author's Response:Harry and Ginny are still very daunting to me! ::cries:: Haha but I try to write them in a way that makes sense to me. And I agree - I haven't always been the strongest Hinny supporter but I think there are many parts of their personalties that work for each other - and I kind of try to bring those out here lol Thank you so much for all your kind feedback! love hearing from you!
- Quilly
Hi Quilly! I’m here for our swap :D
Oh I love this chapter! I love this bit of world building you’re doing with the magical paparazzi hanging around outside Hogwarts, waiting for Harry to show up to give Ginny a snog. The way that they’ve had to learn to deal with the press makes sense for them, especially since Harry has been subjected to public scrutiny for so much of his life.
I appreciated Ginny’s sense of humor, how she needles Harry a little about how she wishes he’d show up to kiss her a little more often. I also loved the mad dash through Hogsmeade, it was so playful and fun. And then they run up on that roof and vanish the stairs and have their romantic moment together—except that the whole mad dash was romantic too. And how Ginny says she hopes they will always been running together was super sweet. And Harry’s saying he will always be running to her melted my heart a little :D
I loved the final joke too, about how Ginny wishes he were famous for something “cool”.
Lovely job on this and thank you for swapping with me!
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:I can't help but think that an eighteen year old boy who just saved the wizarding world (again) would be hounded by the paparazzi and I can't not imagine it being a huge part of his life, so I felt the need to give it space in his story. I loved that you picked up on Ginny's sense of humor, teasing him about wishing he'd show up to kiss her more often and about wishing he'd be a bit cooler lol Thank you so much for coming by with this lovely review!
- Quilly
Hey Quilly! Here to catch up with the latest installment <3 I see the overlap with 'In This Darkness' in this chapter - the mist, the gates that seem as though they reach the sky - and it's lovely to feel that connection between the two stories <3
It must be strange for Harry owning all these places he never really knew, and I get the not wanting to hang onto relics of the past for the sake of it, but even if he does want to hang on, there's no reason doing so will stunt him emotionally?! Maybe he's afraid he'll feel nothing for Potter Manor...or he'll feel everything. I like Ginny's role in this; both comforting and supportive. A defining moment in their lives!
Meera <3
Author's Response:I'm so glad you picked up onthe overlap! A lot of this came from chapter two so I'm impessed you could remember it. I think you nailed it when you said he's afraid he'll feel nothing or everything. He's definitely scared of both things. Thank you so much for stopping by for this review.
- Quilly
Thought I'd read this one, too, so I'm all caught up! Also, TAG! :P
Ah, yes! They are moving to Potter Manor! Love this! :D What better place to grow their child(ren), after all? And, I don't know, it's kind of poetic that James II will run the same halls James I did... I'm too much of a sucker for these parallels... :P
Ginny is right, as always. There's nothing shameful in feeling attached to your history and to places of your past... I can see why Harry would want to move on, and I can see why he thinks Potter Manor has nothing to do with him (he never met his grandparents, he never really knew his father, so that house is kind of foreign... but of course it does have a meaning, even if Harry is pretending it doesn't, and Ginny is clever enough to point that out. Again, I love how they work as a couple, how Ginny can stabilize Harry always! :D)
The use of the prompt was so clever! I love the double meaning you gave it, more literal in the way Harry took a wrong turn with the car, but also metaphorical, because Harry doesn't really have a place to belong, until they got to the Manor and he realized that this had to be their new home, and he doesn't feel lost anymore! It's so clever and works so well in rounding up this chapter! <3
Loved this one so much, too! Thank you for writing and sharing! <3
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:I think you know I'm obsessed with parallels by now ;p and I 100% had to have them move into James Potter's home while expecting James Sirius Potter because I'm a terrible cornball like that. I'm so glad you picked up on the double meaning of the prompt useage! Thank you so much for this lovely review!
- Quilly
Was she really scared that Harry would be unhappy of having a child? :P
Well, of course that kind of doubt makes a lot of sense... especially if this was unexpected and they never really thought or talked about it before... a child is life-changing, and they are still very young (not actually sure how young they are, and I can't be bothered to make the maths right now, but they must've been very young :P) and so it makes sense that Ginny might wonder if Harry wants this, if he's ready for this, how he'll react... it's endearing how she's so scared of finding out what disappointment looks on Harry's face, that it's something she's never really seen before (of course, we all knew she wasn't going to see it now either, but I just love how absolute their love is, how you make it sound to be <3)
Harry stares back at her. His mouth is slightly opened. He looks stunned. Ginny has never seen him look stunned before. She thinks she might've broken him, the-boy-who-lived. Ahahah! I mean, fair! Anyone would be a bit shocked at first, right? But after that first moment of shock, his reaction is 100% what I would've expected from him! :D "I'm just glad that it's yours. / I already love it so much, knowing there's a piece of you in there." Oh, my! How much does he love her? <3
So beautiful! Thank you so much for the swap! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Yes, exactly, I think Ginny would've much preferred it if it was something they both *wanted* rather than something that just happened but obviously Harry would never be disappointed in her, especially not over something like this. They're definitely deeply in love <3 Thank you for this lovely review!
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly! Here for our swap! :D
Aww, I loved this! Give me all the Weasley chaos anytime! <3 And the Teddy and Victoire cuteness especially!!! Teddy pulling her hair, and Victoire's know-it-all attitude, Teddy's innocence and earnestness... I'm just in love with these children!!! <3
Actually, I loved every single moment of this! Arthur with the television ("and they've no idea we're watching them?" lol! :P), Molly berating Charlie for getting hurt at work, Percy and Audrey!!! (you gave her just one line, but that's enough for me to think that she's so cool! <3) All so wonderful! :D
"I hope you're all as ridiculously embarrassing as I've been promised." / "We really are," says Teddy with that ever-so-earnest way about him Oh, my! Yes, they really are! :D Did I mention that I love Teddy already?
And of course, I love the sentiment you close the chapter with, the feeling of quietness after all the family chaos, and how much Harry loves both, and of course having Ginny still there once it's all over... <3 it's just so sweet! <3
Another brilliant one! See you on the next in a moment! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:I love writing the Weasleys! And of course, I needed a bit of Teddy/Victoire because I adore them endlessly. I'm so glad you enjoyd this chapter! Thank you for reviewing <3
- Quilly
Tag <3
The beginning had me laughing with Ginny trying to cook, only to have it turn into an absolute disaster. I loved the way you put it that she didn’t know how to cook—but she did know how to “scream bloody murder.” Harry came in at just the right moment to save her from burning the Burrow down.
But then you went and broke my heart, reminding us that Fred isn’t going to be here this Christmas—or any other Christmas, and that Molly is crying in her room and unable to function.
Okay, you did a really great job weaving all these different emotions into this chapter. We’ve got the humor, the sadness and grief, some sexy times, and the sweetest (okay bitter-sweetest) ending. I loved Harry and Ginny’s cooking together, and how their working together in the kitchen lead to that lovely make out session. I think it makes good sense with Harry’s character that he’d be chivalrous like this and not want to “be the creepy old guy bringing schoolgirls to his flat” but it’s obvious the sexual tension is running high.
I loved the ending with the run down of how everyone shows up, and what kind of state of mind they are in. The final line is just so perfect!!
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:I'm so glad you got a good sense of all the different emotions. I really wanted to convey the grief that remained 6+ months afterwards. It's hard because I feel like it'd be impossible for life not to move on and yet the hurt remains, so I was trying to somehow mesh those two ideas together. In my mind, Harry's always chivalrous - to an almost ridiculous point hehe Thank you so much for coming by with this lovely review!
- Quilly
Tagging you right back! And we got to see lots of Weasleys this chapter!
I can completely imagine Mrs Weasley criticising Ginny's kitchen and not realising that it's not going down very well! But it's true that it comes from a place of love.
It's sweet seeing Teddy and Victoire interacting. I'm glad Victoire's clear on her boundaries even at this young age. I know Fleur's not looking for sympathy, but I really felt for her when she described having to learn to deal with all the attention from boys. It must be sad for her knowing that Victoire will need to deal with the same thing. At least she's got a big loving family to support her.
And Percy! He really stole the scene for me this chapter. I love that he felt the need to announce that he brought a girl, and I love his panic. He didn't need to worry though. Audrey seems like she knows how to handle herself.
Such a sweet ending too, with Harry's reflections on family. He's finally found what he always wanted.
Another lovely chapter! This one's a different kind of fluff and it's just perfect.
Jem xx
Author's Response:I agree about Fleur! I think that one of the reason's she was so matter-of-fact of her beauty was because she had to learn to be that way. It must've been hard growing up and knowing boys worshiped you - but because of your genetics and not necessarily anything that had to do with the real you. Anyways, I digress. I just got excited that you pointed that out.
I love Percy and I love Audrey and I had to include them because everytime I write Molly or Lucy in my other fic, this who I head-canon as the parents behind their personalities lol I agree that Harry's finally had the family he's always wanted. I wanted to be able to show that he loves that aspect about Ginny, the fact that she's a Weasley, but also that he loves her even without the Weasleys in the picture.
Thank you so much for your review!
- Quilly
Tag! And I'm so glad we got some more Dudley!
So in my review for the last chapter I wondered whether Gordon might be Dudley's boyfriend, and I'm really happy to see that he is. Dudley deserves a chance of happiness away from his parents, and it seems like Gordon might give him that. Also Gordon seems very levelheaded from the way he spoke to Ginny last chapter, so I think he'll be good for Dudley.
Poor Harry, still believing that he owes something to the Dursleys. I respect him for wanting to help out and wanting to make sure Dudley will be okay, but I hate that he thinks it's his duty to do this and that they deserve his gratitude. I'm glad Dudley made it clear that he didn't need to do it. If Harry decides to go ahead and help anyway because he's got more money than he needs, that's great, but he shouldn't feel obligated to do it.
I loved Dudley teasing Harry by asking for a new car. It's a little hint of what their relationship could one day grow into, and I'm excited for them to get to know each other better as adults. I don't get the impression they'll ever be properly close, but it's nice that they can be civil now and can laugh together.
And then Harry showing Ginny the cupboard! My heart just broke for him. It's for such a small proportion of canon that it's easy to forget he was shut away in a cupboard for so many years, but it's obviously stayed with him. I'm glad he felt able to show Ginny, and I'm even more glad that she could show him he's loved now and will always be loved.
Another perfect chapter! I love this story so much. I've just added it to my favourites and can't wait for the next chapter!
Jem xx
Author's Response:I'm so glad you picke dupon Dudley! And yes, he deserves someone with Gordon, who is more levelheaded and accepting that the Dursleys ever were. Sadly, I do think Harry's helping comes from a sense of duty. But I think it's coming from a place of maturity on his part, where he's taken everything he's learned in his youth, especially from Dumbledore, and has decided to the right thing even through is own personal bitterness or grudges. I agree that he wont' eve be close to Dudley - but they'll learn to be civil and at least keep in touch with each other just enough throughout the years. The cupboard will always be one of the saddest parts of the canon for me. It felt like a very purposeful way to make him feel not a part of the family - and to this to a child, not even eleven years old is heartbreaking to me. I needed to make sure Ginny was aware of that part of his past.
Thank you so much for reviewing! I'm so glad you've been liking it. It means a lot!
- Quilly
Hey! It's DanyFire aka Meg for our swap!
I loved this chapter! It was so well written. I could feel every emotion you had going in this chapter. It nearly made me cry. I was trying hard not to cry. You are an amazing writer and I now want to read more of your work. I need to update mine but haven't had much time for writing what with work, errands, dr appointments, and chores. I suck at time management. lol Anyway, great chapter! I'll definitely be reading more.
Meg aka DanyFire
Author's Response:Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Quilly! Here for our swap :D
Okay, so I love how Ron and Hermione are keeping in touch with these long letters and romantic get-aways to Hogsmeade. It makes so much sense for them. Hermione would be an excellent correspondent, and she would expect the same from Ron for sure. And, since Hermione is fully an adult this year, and since she spent the previous year not at school (and saving the world) it makes sense to me that she would have this life outside of school more easily.
Because it also makes sense to me that Ginny and Harry would not be good at keeping plans, or writing letters to each other. Both of them are so in the moment, that I feel like they are both focusing on what's in front of them, and just waiting the year out. Like Ginny thought in a previous chapter: she just wants to skip ahead to the next summer when they can be together all the time. So when they are feeling anxious, it makes sense to me that they'd just dig into their day-to-day life, waiting for when their day-to-day life will include the other person full time.
Except that this leads to misunderstanding. Because they aren't writing to each other much, Harry doesn't know about Rolf and Luna. So he gets jealous (which is a little annoying, but very understandable too). I'm glad Ginny set him straight and pointed out how jealous boyfriends can be a trial, and that she has just as much--if not more--to be worried about, since Harry is out in the "real world" meeting more people and moving on with his life, while she is still at Hogwarts with the same old folks doing the same old thing.
I loved the scene in the car, how they fogged the windows up with their argument, and then proceeded to fog them up some more with their kissing. It was a super cute ending to the chapter!
Thank you so much for swapping with me <3
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:I comptely agree that Hermione would be good at corresponding and probably asking enough questions so that Ron's forced to write long letters too ;p
Ginny and Harry are very differnet from them though. Whereas Ron and Hermione were best friends first since age eleven and probably had seperation anxiety going so long without each other, Harry and Ginny have always been more independent and need to learn how to place each other before their daily obligations. I'm so gald you liked that last scene! Thank you for pointing it out <3
- Quilly
And tag again right back! :D
Ah, I love that this chapters has all the answers to all the questions I had about the previous one! <3
Who would've ever thought that Harry would offer to help the Dursleys with money? I mean, I can sort of understand, they did raise him after all, even if in a horrible way, but still... he really doesn't owe them anything, in my opinion... and it looks like Dudley agrees with me... "I've also been thinking of going for a new car. My old one's shit." Lol! I love that Dudley actually made a joke out of it! :D And yes! Gordon is his boyfriend! I knew it! I bet Vernon wouldn't have taken very well the idea of a gay son... I'm feeling a little bad for him now, even if, like he himself admits, this is no excuse for the way he acted as a kid... :/
Harry showing Ginny the cupboard was a real emotional punch! But I'm glad this is helping Harry to move on from that painful past! And I love the promise! Again, a wonderful use of the prompt! <3
Loved this chapter so much! <3 <3 <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Harry definitely doesn't owe them anything. They were horride and borderline (or maybe not even just borderline) abusive but I think Harry often does more for people than they deserve. When he was younger and it would bit him in the ass (like with Peter), it would hurt him, but now that he's older, he's learning the importance of doing the right thing just because it's the right thing and not because people deserve it. I really wanted that kind of mentality to be the one that he raised his children with because it'll be important in In This Darkness. I'm so glad you picked up on Gordon in the last chapter! I was hoping it would come off that way without it being explicitly said before Dudley was ready to say it. Thank you for the review!
- Quilly
"He did so much for you." / "You owed him so much more gratitude than what you ever showed him." Honestly, Petunia? Are you being serious???
Anyway, here for some tag! :P
Well... yes, this isn't exactly what you'd call fluff, but it makes sense in the big picture you're painting of Ginny and Harry's story. And I totally agree with you, the most romantic thing is being there for the other person in the hard times! <3
Gordon... a mate... mmmh... I really want to know more details there... :P I like this guy, anyway! :D
I can't believe Dudley and Petunia are really blaming Harry for not keeping in touch more, after everything they put him through... especially Petunia... Dudley, after all, was a kid and was just mimicking his parents' behaviour... but how does Petunia truly believe that what they did for Harry was anything good? Yes, they kept him instead of sending him to an orphanage, but she must know how abusive their behaviour towards Harry was, right?
Wow, how many contrasting emotions Harry must be feeling in a circumstance like Vernon's funeral, it must be so weird for him... I'm sort of curious to know what he and Dudley discussed that we didn't get to see... I'm glad he had Ginny there to support him, anyway! I'm sure her presence helped a lot! <3
The little joke about bat-bogey hexing anyone who annoys her was funny, definitely helped lessening the mood, it worked really nicely! :D
A heavy chapter, but a great inclusion and very nicely constructed and written! Lovely work as always, my dear! :)
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:I cannot see Petunia ever changing, sadly. Honestly, I see her mind working drastically different from her tongue and if I ever do a piece on her, I might show this because I do think Petunia is a deeply troubled person whose insecurties have cost her many important relationships in her life... but as badly as I feel for her, I just imagine her having the growth to overcome it. Again, I could write a whole piece on Petunia's thoughts, but I DO think she thinks they did enough for Harry - or at least she won't allow herself to question that conviction because otherwise she would have come to face to face with the fact that she neglected deeply neglected child (her nephew) due to her own issues. Thank you for your review!
- Quilly
Aww, these two, the adoration they feel for each other... it's almost too much, you know? But I mean it in a good way, I could read about them being smitten with each other all day! <3 <3 <3
And this scene is so adorable! Sometimes falling asleep is hard, because your mind can't shut down, but this is a good kind of insomnia, isn't it? :P And I love the way Harry suddenly wakes up again, too, just to make sure Ginny's still there beside him... it's so sweet! <3
She'll never be able to get used to this... to him. There's too much magic between them. It's not the sort of happiness that ever gets comfortable, just bearable. This line!!! <3 <3 <3
I'm not sure what else to say, except, brilliant job as always! <3
Thank you so much again for the swap! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Thank you so much! This chapter was just pure fluff and Ginny fan-girling over Harry after all this year ;p
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly! Here for our swap! Sorry for the wait! <3
Ah, poor Harry... long distance relationships are never easy, are they? :/
I love that Harry gave the Ministry an ultimatum... it's kind of... well, not out of character, but just a powerful move on his part, and it serves to show just how much he cares about Ginny and feels the need to spend as much time as possible with her, and that's so sweet and romantic! <3 And the fact that the Ministry agreed is kind of surprising, too, but I suppose they can't afford losing Harry Potter, right? :P
Ginny's first reaction... can't blame her for thinking that Harry wants to break up or something... :/ and then, when she realizes what he's saying... I love how she plays around with him a little... and him not realizing that is so typical Harry... :P always trying to be chivalrous, I don't want you to feel pressured to do something you don't want to do. Ah, Harry... but that's part of the reason we love him so much, right? <3
The interrupting with a kiss was so perfect for this moment! Definitely what Ginny would do! And the way she kisses him again after claiming that she wants to move in with him, as a way to dissolve his worries... aww, adorable! <3
Another great piece! I'll see you in a minute on the next one! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:He definitely cares more about Ginny than he does about his job at this point (although I don't have much time to explore his feelings on work so it was only very subtly implied lol). It took Ginny a bit to figure out what he was saying because he went all ways around it haha but it was a change she was definitely ready to make as well. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!
- Quilly.
Hi, Quilly!
Here for the Review Tag, but I don't think I have to type super fast right now because there's not much action on the Forum--everyone must be outside enjoying the weather.
This is really a meaty chapter, tense and tight like a guitar string. I like the way you feed out the information. First we know that Harry is tense. Then we realize he's been driving to the Dursley house in Little Whinging. Then we see the gray weather, and the crowd of people dressed in black, definitely not a party going on. Someone is dead, but who?
Then we see that it not Dudley. He's outside in front of the house. What a relief. We didn't want Dudley to be the dead person. So, either Vernon or Petunia.
I like how Dudley suggests that Harry might not return again until the next funeral, and Harry considers it seriously. Good for Gordon, Dudley's mate, to urge them to do what the moment calls for.
Then you take us into the house, and there we see someone whom you do not name, you only describe, but instantly we know it's Petunia. Supposedly she's mourning her late husband, but instantly upon seeing Harry a switch flips in her brain and she's immediately back into hate-Harry mode. A great transition there.
I also like how you show that Harry has immense self-control, not trading criticism with criticism, even saying "I'm sorry about Uncle Vernon. I really am." (Obviously not because he misses Vernon, but he knows that Petunia does and that she is sad about it.)
Then Petunia says, "He did so much for you," and Harry says, "Yes, he did." Those two lines can be taken in two entirely different ways, and we know how Harry understands them, but he is polite enough not to be more blunt in front of all these people. He knows that this is not the time to drag up old grievances, although apparently Petunia doesn't know that.
But when she says, "You owed him so much more gratitude than you ever showed him," there's not a way to put any kind of a positive spin on that remark, and Harry has to get out of there before he says something he doesn't want to say.
I was a bit surprised that Harry left Ginny by herself in the sitting room when he and Dudley ducked out up the stairs. Hopefully Petunia woudn't say anythiing rude to Ginny, and nobody elses there except now Gordon even knows her at all.
I was glad when Gordon rescued her by taking her outside. That shows a glimpse of his character, and it also shows something about Dudley, that a person of good character like Gordon would be mates with him.
You are right when you say in the midst of this tense and sad moment, that one of the most loving things you can do is to just be with someone and support them by your presence. Ginny ceertainly didn't have to come all this way with Harry to attend an event thqt had no fun whatsoever in it, but it made it a little easier for Harry. A very nice touch.
Great little story, well told. Thank you!
Vicki
Author's Response:Harry really does show immense self-control - as I think he did for most of his childhood. There were times when he bursted out snarky comments but given how poorly he was treated, I think he remained exceptionall polite and well-behaved. He doesn't go to the funeral to stir up trouble but because he feels genuinely conflicted over the loss of a man who raised him (though not at all lovingly.) I agree that Dudley's relationship with Gordon reflects on the personal changes he's been able to make. I'm glad you picked up on that! Thank you, as always, for your insightful review!
- Quilly.
Hi Quilly,
Here for our swap. I'm definitely going to get started on your Lily Luna story soon but for now I couldn't resist another look at Harry and Ginny.
You brought the Dursleys back! So much emotion in this chapter.
Okay, first off, I like how calm and quiet Ginny is in this chapter. She's seething inside and she's finally starting to udnersatnd the trauma Harry grew up with, but she's able to set aside her own emotions for now to be there for him. I know that he'd do the same for her if she needed it.
Gordon! I'm so glad Dudley found somebody to understand him and to care about him (love him maybe?) for who he really is. I always felt very sorry for Dudley. He obviously didn't suffer the same abuse as Harry, but he grew up with parents who never really saw him. They loved him but they didn't let themselves actually know him, and that can't have been easy.
I feel like Dudley's comment about expecting to wait for the next funeral to see Harry is him parroting something he's heard Petunia say. My guess would be that he fully understands why coming back to Privet Drive is difficult for Harry. Although I suppose he's also grieving right now so can be forgiven for some rudeness.
Petunia, however, is unforgiveable in this chapter. Yes, she's grieving, but blaming Harry for not being grateful for the abuse he faced for years is unacceptable. Poor Harry. I hope he doesn't take her comments to heart too much.
I loved your author's note at the end. I totally agree - this isn't fluffy in the same way as some chapters, but it's definitely romantic. I think you made the right choice to include it in this collection.
Looking forward to coming back very soon! Jem xx
Author's Response:I really couldn't do this without addressing the Dursleys. Lol. Dudley's definitely parroting his mother's sentiments/dealing with his own grief even though he knows better. Petunia is also dealing with grief - but I just can't see her ever really moving past a sort of attitude/resentment she's been carrying since childhood, so I didn't think it'd be realistic to portay her in any other way. I agree that Petunia and Vernon never really saw Dudley. They were convinced that he was everything they wanted (and considered proper) and refused to see that any part of him could be any different. Thank you so much for your review! I'm really glad you felt like it was a good adidition to the collection <3
- Quilly
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