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And a third one, for length compensation, and because I'm feeling like it! :P
Poor Ginny... I'd probably feel very out of place, too, in that kind of situation... I'm actually surprised that Ron and Hermione are feeling so at ease. Well, I guess Hermione would be happy to find someone who can match her intellectually, and Ron just enjoys the attention... :P So I suppose they'd find ways to integrate! ;)
Harry wanting to escape is so Harry, though! "I can't stand their questions about Voldermort or their jokes about the war or their deep affinity to make their political issues my political issues." Yes, political issues is the last thing Harry would want to be involved in, right? :P
I love the way Harry just comes and drags Ginny away, with so much urgency that Ron and Hermione immediately think something serious is going on... I chuckled at the cat's excuse... love Ron's loyalty there, how he immediately goes along with the lie, realizing his friend just needs some space! <3
And is very typical Harry, again, that he immediately worries about Ginny wanting to stay... If you want to go back, I want to go back too. What wouldn't he do for her? <3 And of course, he's so relieved as soon as she says that she wasn't enjoying herself either! :D I love how happy they are of just being together and away from all that high society mess... :P It's so sweet! <3
Another lovely episode! Thank you so much once again for the swap! <3
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Hermione's fangirling over the people she's meeting. Ron's just loving the attention. Harry, however, feels the way he felt at every Slug Club meeting/party, only ten times worse. He's not about that life haha Thank you so much for swapping with me! I always enjoy hearing your thoughts!
- Quilly
Back for part 2! :D
I always love a glimpse of Romione in these! They are so cute, too! The way Ron is holding the umbrella, making sure that Hermione is as well protected as possible and ignoring how drenched he's getting himself... it's so sweet! <3
And speaking of Ron, that bit about how they didn't let Ginny play when they were little... total Weasley siblings energy, I love that! And the "don't tell her" comment was gold! :D
As always, I love the way you describe Ginny through Harry's eyes! It's both very fitting of Ginny's character and shows how much Harry loves her, and it's just so wonderful! Ginny is so fierce and strong and determined, and it really shines in this Quidditch scene! I love that they won, despite Puddlemere catching the Snitch, it's very cool! :D
And Harry braving the rain and the crowd to go congratulate (or snog :P) her... again, he truly loves her a lot, doesn't he? I can imagine the people's reactions when they noticed him, and then when he and Ginny run to each other! :D No one will ever understand that his biggest compensation for all the heartbreak in his life will always be that redhead girl standing in front of him, drenched in rain, grinning back at him, victory written on her face. Love this closing line! Just perfection! <3
Another brilliant one! Thank you so much for writing and sharing! And thank you for swapping with me! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:I love Romione! I'm always so happy when I can include bits of them even though the story's not about them. Ron will forever see Ginny as his little sister hehe And Harry couldn't keep himself away, not after watching her play like that. Thank you so much for your review!
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly! Here for part one of our swap! :D
I hadn't made up my mind about going at all to be honest. If this isn't the most Harry thing ever... *rolls eyes* But I have to admit, the way you have him explain how he feels make a lot of sense and I can't even disagree with him. He's not being modest or self-blaming, he just wants to turn the page, and recognizes that he did what he did because the circumstances forced him to... he was mostly just trying to survive... not to say that what he did wasn't brave or heroic, but maybe it isn't quite as worth celebrating as the wizarding community thinks... and it's fair of Harry to feel that way...
Ginny trying to make plans while being entangled on the bed with Harry was bound to not be particularly proficuous... :P I love the mental image you gave us there, it's so cute and funny! :D
And it is lovely of Harry, taking the time off for Ginny's first match! And of course he would want her there for the Order of Merlin's ceremony! <3
I think I already mentioned that I'm not much into smut, but I like the way you incorporated it here, it was a very organic transition, work really nicely into the narrative of the piece, and it wasn't extra explicit anyway (and I really appreciated that... :P) I love the way you have that "with other boys" remark, it emphasizes how special Harry is to Ginny and I love that! <3
The ending, with Ginny going back to her planning, made me chuckle. It was a really fun and fitting way of closing the chapter! :D
Another great chapter! Thank you so much for the swap, and I'll be back for part 2 soon! <3
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Yes - Harry's never seen his hero status as something to celebrate because, well, he never wanted it plus so much hurt came along with with it. Hehe and yeah, Harry's wanting some time with his girlfriend, and Ginny's just like, okay but, really, we need to figure this out ;p Thank you for the review!
- Quilly
Hello again! Yay sleepy Harry and Ginny!
I can so see these two wanting to sleep with the window open. Harry's spent so much time trapped at the Dursleys, and Ginny's final year at Hogwarts must have felt very claustrophobic and confining. I'm glad they can have some fresh air and open space now!
Haha I thought Ginny was struggling with sleep because of trauma, but I love that actually she's just obsessed with staring at Harry while he sleeps!
"Stay, okay? Don't go anywhere else." - Bless him. They're both still getting used to the idea that they get to keep each other and neither of them are going anywhere.
Another gorgeous chapter! Jem xx
Author's Response:Haha Ginny is totally obsessed with Harry - and finding that a problem lol Neither of them are that point where they can take each other for granted, because they're just so in awe of each other <3 Thank you for all your lovely words!
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly!
Here to do a review tag (if I type fast enough). You are keeping up your string of excellent little vignettes with such good moments and insights in each of them. I like that this scene takes place after Harry and Ginny have been carrying on this long-distance-romance thing for three years. That's a long time, and it shows how completely dedicated they are to each other, not to have drifted apart.
I like the part where Ginny asks,"Something happen at work?" and Harry says, "Somethng's always happening at work." This suggests that his job is perpetually stressful, with no relaxed periods when the wizarding citizens of Great Britain all behave themselves.
In this story Harry is very hesitant to come right out and say that he wants to be in closer proximity to Ginny; I assume that that's because he's not sure how she's going to react, and he doesn't want to put pressure on her. I love the little moment, when he finally does tell her he's taking steps to move to Holyhead and she immediately thinks that the Auror Department is trying to get something from Harry as payment for their approval of his move. It is so like Ginny to jump to that conclusion right away, after the Ministry's history of always wanting to get sonething from Harry.
I love how you write Harry backpedaling like mad (It's not something we'd have to decide on today or this week or this month or this year...maybe, possibly, an option). At least he didn't say "this century,' the poor, floundering guy!
And then we have a happy ending because this is a fluffy story. I wonder if Ginny didn't drop any hints during those three years, and Harry was just too thick to pick up on them!
A lovely little story!
Vicki
Author's Response:Vicki, I think you hit on many important notes. Harry's job IS very stressful. Even though we don't see it often in this story, it's something that takes a lot of his energy, and Ginny understands this. And you're right. Harry's unsure as to how Ginny feels about moving in with him. She's still young and enjoys her freedom with her friends so he's worried that he'll get in the way of that. He might've said century if he'd thought of it ;) I don't think Ginny dropped any hints - if only because she really wasn't really thinking of it as a possible option, just yet, but she's never not wanted to be near him. Thank you for your wonderful review!
- Quilly
Quilly! OMG, this one was so touching and beautiful, words fail me :love:
I love how the whole chapter is wrapped up between two sentences; 'they don't ever disappoint each other' and 'they make everything better for one another - always'. What a perfect way to enclose the information within it. Harry doing lovely things for Ginny; Ginny doing lovely things for Harry. But this news is so big, will it be the apple that upsets the cart? Will Ginny be faced for the first time with a Harry who's less than delighted with what she needs to tell him?
The way Ginny's name is the first thing on Harry's lips in the morning :swoon:
But bless Ginny, delivering this news is hard. Seeing Ginny so vulnerable must be so difficult for Harry too and while she's incoherently crying, he must be wondering WTH is going on. But there's no way he'd be disappointed with this particular news <3
Ahhh, I'm well and truly melting after this one!!
Meera <3
Author's Response:Thank you so much! I got emotional writing this one, so I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! It's a big change - but they're both happier for it <3
- Quilly
This was so sweet! So lovely to see how excited Ginny is by Harry's surprise visit, but how she's also not really surprised because deep down she knew he'd come.
It's a tiny point, but I loved how Ginny said they didn't need to go to the pub, and Harry said he'd like to go. He wants her to have her own life and he wants to be a part of it, rather than expecting her to drop everything and be with him.
Poor Ginny worrying that Harry saying it's getting hard means he doesn't want to be with her anymore! I can completely see why she'd feel like that, but OF COURSE that's not the case!
And then I love Harry thinking he's puttng pressure on her to move in together and wanting to make it clear that Ginny can have as much space as she wants and doesn't need to rush into anything, when actually that's all that Ginny wants.
Another wonderful chapter, as always! Jem xx
Author's Response:They both want to be with each other - but both are wanting to respecting each other's spaces, and there's a bit of a mix up there, but soon enough, they figure it out ;) Thank you for your review!
- Quilly
okay but i fucking love ginny wanting to be there for molly in the way of cooking dinner, tkaing over this job that's obviously traditionally molly's, something she enjoys, because we know molly likes cooking and likes when her family is all together around the dining table, enjoying the food and each other's company...but in the situation that she's in, that they're all in, in the adftermath of fred's death and the first christmas after it -- i can't even imagine how hard it's for her and for arthur and all of the weasleys, so the fact that ginny, despite being ridiculously bad at cooking (no judgement here lololo i am probably more terrrible :P ), she wants to help in this way, it just makes my cold lil heart warm *_*
and to continue on that, it got even warmer and more *awwwww* when it turned out that the rest of the weasleys&co that showed up all brought something with them, probably with a similar idea in mind ,,,,it's just lovely.
not to mention harry being all cook-y and helpful and just all around there for ginny, both helping her and distracting her from why exactly she's there in the kitchen trying to make it work -- i just loved how this chapter was, yes, obviously about the two of them and this super fluffy time together when they're cooking and simultaneously can't keep their hands off each other, but it's also about the family as a whole, bringing them together, them dealing with their collective grief ...just beautiful
kris
Author's Response:There's definitely alot of hard emotions at play right now, with Fred no longer being there, and the war a thing of not that long ago. They are all trying to come together and move on though, and I think they'll find strength in each other ;) Thank you so much for your review!
- Quilly
Yay we got to the Merlins! And it worked out pretty much exactly how I'd picture it, so I love that.
I really felt for Ginny feeling so out of place and trying to work out why. It makes sense that Hermione would feel more comfortable there. Hermione's used to doing her research in advance and being prepared for all situations, and her knowledge would definitely help her make lots of smalltalk.
Ron's confidence is slightly less expected, but made me so happy to see. After so many years of feeling a bit inferior, he's really come into his own and learnt to be proud of his own accomplishments. It's nice to see him feeling like he belongs.
And then Harry has, of course, had enough! It's so sweet how he's willing to go back in on Ginny's behalf, but he should have realised she didn't want to be there! I loved seeing him apologising for being selfish, when actually his actions have made her happier than anything else that night.
Another wonderful chapter! I'm sad that I'm getting near the end of your uploaded chapters but I'm really looking forward to reading on!
Jem xx
Author's Response:Hermione's fangirling a bit - and Ron's happy to be noticed haha But yeah, Harry's not enjoying this at all. Luckily, Ginny feels the same way and they're both able to have better fun together :) Thank you for the review!
- Quilly
Yay back again and smiling again because I love this story so much!
I love that Hermione's there watching with her boys even though we know she doesn't love Quidditch like the rest of them. She's there because she loves her friends and I love that about her. Also so sweet that Ron's holding the umbrella over her head!
Ron talking about Ginny's Quidditch skill is hilarious, as is Harry pointing out that Ginny knows how good she is and probably doesn't need her brother's approval. That's such lovely growth for Ginny as I imagine when she was younger she would have given anything for Ron to acknowledge her like this.
And Harry! Facing the fans and the cameras so he can kiss Ginny after the match! So sweet and I love that he didn't even have to think about it.
Looking forward to seeing what happens at the Merlins!
Jem xx
Author's Response:Hermione's very proud of Ginny (because girl power, you know). Ron's gotten a bit more tactful since his Hogwarts years, hasn't he? ;p
Thank you so much for your review!
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly!
Here for our review swap. Oh my gosh, this is so clever, and so full of spot-on details. Let me start to list them.
Paragraph One: the description of the very-high-elegance of the setting of the awards ceremony. What kind of people were planning this shindig, anyway? Didn't it occur to them that maybe the indiviuals who had managed to deserve Order of Merlin awards weren't necessarily the peak of the glitterati society and might not feel comfortable there?
Paragraphs Two to Five: how Ginny feels completely outclassed, conversationally, compared to Hermione and Ron. Applied Theory of Magic--that's pretty abstract.
Paragraphs Six and Seven: when Harry has his breaking point, and Ron and Hermione have their automatic, hair-trigger reaction to the perception that some danger/catastrophe is about to happen Ron quickly realizes what's going on and covers for Harry, while Hermione takes it all literally and is about to blow Harry's cover by declaring to one and all that he doesn't own a cat!
Paragraphs Eight to Twelve: the mad dash throught the awards room, fleeing from well-wishers and event staff alike, and the race down the sidewalk in the cold night air. "All night he's been dragged away, by this minister and that president and these well-celebrated activists..." (Great line!) Two blocks down the street, Harry looks back over his shoulder to see if anyone's following him, chasing him, maybe waving autograph books that they want him to sign (!)...
Paragraph Twelve: where Harry explains how it felt to be overwhelmed by all those people, all wanting something from him, and finally when they decide to find a place that serves cooked (not raw) food, and acknowledge that their world will never be that world (although Hermione and Ron seemed to be having a good time play-acting at being members of high society.)
At least I'm glad that Harry didn't make his break until after the awards were given out.
What a wonderful idea for depicting the Merlin Awards night. You have such good insights into how the attendees (the politicians, the celebrities) would have behaved (tasteless jokes about the war, intrusive questions about Voldemort, relentless glad-handing...) You certainly hit the nail on the head with this piece. Great job. I'm impressed by how much you manage to fit into less than 1000 words!
Vicki
Author's Response:In my mind, the Merlins are very much a political thing - as these sort of things tend to be in the real world - and even though the awards are meant for the honorees, there's enough high-brow guests that the whole thing is very fancy and geared more to focus on them.
After seven years of being called to danger by Harry, Ron and Hermione haven't yet kicked away that knee-jerk reaction haha
Hermione, Ron, and Harry all have very different reactions to the night. Hermione is genuinely enjoying present company. She's a fan of their work. Plus, at this point, she has high enough ambitious with her career that she wants to socalize and get to know this world better. Ron is just enjoying the attention because Ron is Ron. He doesn't make light of the war - but he's good humored enough that he can enjoy himself on a fancy night out with his girlfriend. Harry, meanwhile, is still too wanted by the people in there. Everyone wants to talk to him about things he doesn't want to talk about at all. It's like a Slughorn Christmas party but a million times worse for him.
Thank you, as always, for this detailed review! I'm so glad that you enjoyed!
- Quilly
I know we're done with the swap but one more bonus review for the flash review event because I didn't want to stop reading! This chapter was lovely. It's nice to see Harry and Ginny so comfortable together, and to see how passion isn't always big and showy but can also come in quiet moments. And I think Hermione would be very proud of Ginny's calendar organisation!
Jem xx
Author's Response:Hermione would be very proud! I think it's funny that you brought her up because in a version of this chapter, Hermione's the one that gifts her the calendar - but that bit got taken out for the sake of keeping the chapter short and sweet.
- Quilly
Oh my goodness Quilly this is my favourite chapter so far! Whenever Ron features in this story he steals the show for me.
OF COURSE Ron still feels resentful of Krum. He'll probably keep bringing him up for the rest of their lives, even though Hermione likely couldn't care less that she'll see him at the Merlins. I love that Harry knows Ron well enough to realise what's going on straight away.
And then the dancing lesson! Bless Harry, who obviously doesn't actually know how to waltz, still trying his best to support his best friend.
"Technically, we're allowed to erase memories" made me laugh out loud! I love that after getting through a war and doing all this work with the auror department, being embarrassed in front of his little sister is still Ron's worst nightmare.
And then Ginny finds it hilarious but still helps Ron out. Seeing the way all these characters love eachother is so incredibly sweet.
Thank you for another wonderful chapter! Jem xx
Author's Response:Haha Ron is so fun to write for me. And here, at this age, he's still young enough that some of the immaturity from Hogwarts has carried on with him, despite everything that's happened. Ginny wouldn't be a good sister if she didn't both tease him and help him haha I'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter! It was a lot of fun for me to write as well <3
- Quilly
And back again for another chapter!
Yay we get to see Teddy! I love the idea of Harry and Ginny spending their weekends with Teddy and having this quiet family time amidst all the chaos.
Harry and Ginny arguing over who kissed who is absolutely my headcanon and you wrote it brilliantly! I fully believe that Ginny's the one that got them together, but it's nice that Harry thinks it was him.
"I don't even care how it happened. I'm just glad that it did" - so sweet that Harry can't argue for long, even in a jokey way!
Long distance is going to be difficult for them but I'm so glad they talk it through properly and that Harry's so supportive. And I suppose having magic makes it quite a lot easier than it would be in real life! Good for Ginny sticking with her ambition.
And what a gorgeous ending! Such a bittersweet picture having Teddy looking up at the moon every night.
This collection just gets better and better! Jem xx
Author's Response:I really feel like Harry would've kept a close relationship with his godson and done everything in his power to make sure he was never in need of anything, especially after the death of his parents. Haha I agree! Ginny did a good deal of the work to make that relationship happen. I'm glad that you picked up on the bittersweet significance of the moon <3
- Quilly
Hi Quilly, I'm back for part 1 of our swap and I'm so happy to come back to this lovely story!
This chapter really made me feel for Harry and Ginny. They deserve a break and some quiet time and privacy but are obviously too famous now to get it. At least Ginny found a way for them to get some alone time!
Harry telling Ginny that one day they'll have a normal life is so painful because that's all he's ever wanted, but of course he's never really going to have it! But we know they'll be able to carve out a life that works for them, and I'm glad Ginny makes it clear that she's happy with him whatever happens.
"I will always run to you" is so cute! And of course he will! And then I love Ginny calling him out at the end and pointing out that he's not that cool!
Another excellent chapter in an excellent collection! Jem xxx
Author's Response:Harry's always been famous with the aftermath of the war - it's on another level. Like you say though, Ginny is going to love him even though that comes with him (and then humble him a bit ;p) Thank you for coming with a review!
- Quilly
Tag! :D
Oh my! This was so funny! :D I can so picture the scene, it's brilliant! Ginny catching them in the middle of this waltz practice... it's just wonderful! :P "With my own brother, Harry? How could you?" Lol! I love it so much! :D
And I also love that Hermione is the only reason Harry and Ron have healthy food in the house, and as soon as she's away for a few months the apartment gets in total disarray... I can so see that, too! Ah, boys... :P
It's nice to get a bit of Ron in this chapter, too! And he's so Ron! You said you are a bit nervous at writing these prominent characters, but you are doing an awesome job with the characterization! Ron getting all depressed and sulking on the sofa, complaining about something apparently silly, but that's just the point of the iceberg... it's so typically Ron Weasley, and I think you captured him so well!
And of course Harry would see right through the issue, and he would immediately jump in with a help offering... even if it isn't what Ron had in mind... :P And of course it didn't work at all, because Harry doesn't know how to waltz either... :P
Ron jumps over the couch, pushes Ginny back into the corridor, and then locks the door behind him. He turns to Harry with a look of deep panic on his face. "Harry," he tells him urgently, "we're badged aurors now. Technically, we're allowed to erase memories-" Okay... this is so Ronald Weasley, too! And so, so hilarious! You killed me with this chapter! :D
Absolutely brilliant work! I'm enjoying your collection so much! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Haha I feel like Hermione is the reason many of their practical duties got down in Hogwarts - and adult Hermione would still very much be looking after them. Awe I'm so glad you are liking the charaterization! That really means a lot <3 Thank you so much for your review, Chiara!
- Quilly
Oh dear Ginny! She’s so devoted to Harry through thick and thin. And while she’s okay with accepting this separation one more time (hopefully the last time?) it seems like Harry is going to be putting himself in danger again. Or maybe always. And that is more difficult to bear. Because after all that time worrying about him, and knowing it had to be him risking his life because of his connection to Voldemort—now it DOESN’T have to be him. But he’s still choosing to put himself in danger because that’s part of what makes him who he is.
It’s hard, accepting all those sides of a person like that.
At least he’s good at snogging, lmao.
I loved the bit at the end where Ginny wanted to skip all the way to the following summer to be back in his arms permanently.
Thank you for swapping with me!
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:It's true! While the distance is hard, the fact that Harry continues to CHOOSE to risk his life is even harder. But Harry wouldn't be Harry otherwise - and she knows that. Thank you so for the swap and all your lovely words!
- Quilly
Hi Quilly!
This first chapter is so romantic! I love how Harry and Ginny come together after all this pain and numbness, and are able to just be there for each other.
We start out with a recap of all the tragedy, and funeral after funeral, until Harry is numb from the inside out. Where Ron and Hermione can start to think about the future (Hermione wanted to finish school and Ron emphatically NOT wanting to finish school) Harry can’t seem to reconnect with the world enough to get that far.
Until Ginny gives him that smile that reminds him of earlier, happier days. And the way they come together afterwards: Him really looking at her, and telling her how beautiful she is, and them making love, it starts this very long healing process for them.
He doesn’t notice much when their clothes come off. All the while, she’s been dressing him with kisses that burn him whole.
^^ These lines are so gorgeous!
The space between them ceases to exist, and Harry’s been dead before, but he’s never been outside of himself, not until he’s inside of her.
^^ I absolutely love how you put this here :heart eyes:
Lovely first chapter!
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:It really is the start of along healing process over a period of their lives that will never completely go away but at least they can finally move on from it. Thank you so much for highlighting the lines that you liked. It was so nice to hear that you enjoyed them!
- Quilly
Hey Quilly! I love the title of this one - 'the quiet after the Weasleys' - it says it perfectly!
Ooh, Molly criticising Ginny's kitchen - I bet that did not go down too well, yikes! But LMAO at Arthur's fascination with the television - 'and they've no idea we're watching them?' - that's got to be one of the funniest things i've read recently!!
I love the way there's all this chaotic conversation going on with Molly fussing over Charlie's injuries, Teddy pulling Victoire's hair, Fleur's contribution of 'oh gosh, I'm so beautiful that boys touch my hair too', Teddy catching a snog not a snail (HA!!), and then poor Percy appears in the middle of it all and everyone expresses surprise at how pretty Audrey is?!
And then there's this lovely, serene contrast with Harry and Ginny after the family have left; just the noise of the television and Ginny's laughter, and Harry's left with his own blissful thoughts...
Bravo!
Meera <3
Author's Response:Meera, you spoiled me with all these reviews ::cries::
Hehe, no Ginny definitely didn't take her mum's criticism's kindly ;p The Weasley's are such fun to write! There's definitely a lot of chaos and it was hard trying to include the way they're so rapidly expanding and adding members in this point in the timeline hehe Poor Percy! Honestly, in my head, he never brings girls home, and this was 100% Audrey forcing herself into his life because she really does care about him.
Again, thank you so much for coming by with all the reviews! I so look forward to your thoughts all the time!
Love, Quilly.
Hi Quilly! I couldn't leave not knowing what Harry and Dudley were going to talk about, so I'm still here :sweatsmile:
Oh Harry. Too generous by far to offer to pay for Vernon's treatment :( but I'm not surprised he offered, being the kind of person he is and having a vault full of riches. LMAO at the fact that Dudley drew it out into a joke when mentioning his old car was 'a bit shit' hahaha!! AND I KNEW IT!!! Gordon's much more than a 'friend' to Dudley, and I'm glad he's found someone he loves, even if his mum is in denial and he felt he couldn't tell his father.
Gosh - ALL the feels about Harry showing Ginny the cupboard under the stairs, where he spent most of the first eleven years of his life. That's some information for Ginny to process.
"He kisses the promise her lips hold" - love love love this line. Your words are so powerful and emotive <3
Meera <3
Author's Response:Hehe I think Dudley and Harry's relationship could've been SO different if only his parents hadn't been such terrible people... But, oh well, the "what ifs" don't change the past. And yes! I was so happy that you picked up on Gordon in the last chapter! As a child, I remember thinking how terrible for Harry to live in a cupboard. Ginny knew he'd been through a lot with the Dursleys - but realizing they made him go through such intential neglect as a child was more than she had imagined.
- Quilly
Quilly, you did it! Fifteen chapters of awesome fluffiness - and I can't wait to catch up on the latest three, so here goes...
Oof, this chapter is full of feels. An honest, raw depiction of Harry's feelings on all things Dursley; Ginny providing some necessary support. It must have taken everything Harry had to voluntarily return to that place of torture :( and Dudley and Petunia both having the cheek to pull Harry up on not visiting earlier?? Unless Harry had been struck down with Stockholm syndrome after everything Vernon and Petunia put him through, surely Dudders would be able to see just why Harry would not want to return, even if Petunia can't. But I guess they're both grieving and grief makes people say and do some slightly odd things sometimes :((
I like Gordon. Is he more than a friend to Dudley, because he seems very supportive, and knowledgeable about Dudley's background, or at least knowledgeable enough to advise Ginny on 'standing outside the house' and making the comment 'imagine that childhood'?
This line:
“I was showing my gratitude,” says Harry with a defiance Ginny hasn’t seen in him since his school days, “by keeping away."
is just :chefskiss:
Another amazing chapter!! Not as fluffy as the previous ones, but there's still a soft edge to the harsh reality of Harry facing his childhood prison. Well done
Meera <3
Author's Response:I really enjoyed wring this scene. The Dursleys/ Harry post-Hogwarts relationship has been living in my head since I started In This Darkness but there was never a logical way to present it there so I just had to jump on the chance of being able to present it here. I have so many thoughts on Dudley's line of thinking, but I'll say that I think both Petunia's and Dudley's comment came from a place of deep grief. Thank you so much for your review!
- Quilly
And this one is for our swap, instead! :P
Aww, Teddy! <3 How cute is he? And what a lovely, lovely thought they had, to draw stars on his ceiling because he's so fascinated with them! Such an original and clever and adorable use of the prompt! <3
Only, Teddy is fascinated with the moon, not the stars... :P I'm not sure if you were going to any deeper meaning there, but I love it because it's sort of a link to his father... (I have a little Lupin obsession, in case you didn't know that already... :P)
But back to Harry and Ginny... I love their half argument about who initiated their relationship, lol! :P Again, I'm on Ginny's side, she did a lot of the hard work there... but maybe it was 50-50, I guess... :P
Ginny's doubts about accepting the Holyhead Harpies' offer... I can see it, long distance relationships are hard, especially if there is no quick reunion plan in sight... on the other hand, they are wizards, they can cover long distances in seconds, so... but yeah, I can see the issue there...
"You," he says. He looks down to meet her eyes. "In the long run, I'd choose you. I'm going to want your dreams, no matter the cost. I'll want us, making this work, one way or another." Oh, my! This is the best declaration of love Harry could make! And this: She's seen that look of blazing determination in his eyes before - during quidditch matches, flying past dragons, at the battle at the Ministry... It's a look that says he's ready to fight, to death if necessary. It belongs to her now. He's going to fight for her. Such a beautiful line, so powerful! You write Harry and Ginny both so, so well!!!
Wonderful chapter! Thank you so much for the swap!
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:It was DEFINITELY a nod towards Remus! Yay for noticing that! I'm so glad you've approved of Harry and Ginny's characterization so far! Staying true to who they were in the books (and who they become in In This Darkness) contiues to be a challenge but I'm trying my best so that means a lot. Thank you for the swap <3
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly! Tag! :D
This is another lovely one! <3 Poor Harry and Ginny, tormented by paparazzi and unable to just freely enjoy their Hogsmeade date... but I love how you turn their escape into this very romantic moment on the roof, and all the things they tell each other. How in the end all that matters is being together, no matter the rest of the world, no matter the circumstances. It's such a lovely sentiment, so comforting and heartwarming, I love it <3
One thing that I don't think I mentioned before, but that has struck me in most of these drabbles so far, is Ginny's strenght and maturity. Maybe it's only because Ginny's perspective tends to be prominent in these, but the feeling I get is that, despite Harry being the "adult out of school", Ginny is the lead of the couple, keeping Harry grounded and focused and making him see beyond his self-sacrificing nobility... not sure if any of this makes sense, but I still appreciate it!
To be fair to Harry, though, I also very much appreciated how you showed that he's learning to act less instinctively and recklessly... The blush on her cheeks makes him want to murder them but pulling out his wand will only excite them more. It's a lesson he's had to learn. For Harry's character this feels like some growth, which is nice to see :)
"Only, I reckon I'd mind the paparazzi much less if you were something cool, like a rockstar, instead of just, you know, noble..." Loved this line, so hilarious and so very Ginny Weasley! :D
Loved this one! Thank you for writing and sharing!
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:I definitely see Ginny being the lead of the couple. I was so happy to hear you take note of that because that's definitely an important part of these drabbles (and it becomes an important part of In This Darkness). This is the Harry/Ginny relationship that makes sense the most to me. I feel like Harry needed someone that could keep him grounded a bit, and I felt like we saw Ginny doing a bit of that in the HP books, and I wanted her to be that for him in their relationship. There are definitely times when Harry takes the lead, but he's very often content letting her lead him, and that later plays a part in their marriage and their decisions regarding their children (especially Xander ;p).
- Quilly.
Hi, Quilly!
For the Review Tag if someone else doesn't sneak in ahead of me.
All of these fluffy vignettes are so well written, and I love the way you not only have them in chronological order but also specifically link them, such as when you mention, near the end of this piece, that Harry will be attending an award ceremony next week and receive an award. That has been mentioned in previous vignettes, but here you not only mention it, you also tie it into the events of this day, how Ginny's well-being the greatest reward he could have, for all the heartbreak in his life.
Hermione is so practical, arranging to attend the games in Great Britain on the weekends while continuing her studies in Spain, charming the umbrella to enlarge itself and protect all three onlookers, and then advising Harry to slip quickly out of the stadium at the end of the game so as to avoid the mob. Surprising that she doesn't appreciate that "avoiding the mob" is not Harry's highest priority right now!
You characterize the four main characters well in just a few sentences for each of them Your writing in general is very tight, no disposable filler. Each sentence contributes something important. It doesn't take long to reach the end of these little stories, but when you do, you know you've read something substantial.
I certainly enjoy reading these little pieces. You are doing a great job with them!
Vicki
Author's Response:I'm so happy to hear that you find them well-written. The limited word count has really pushed me to do as much as I possibly can with as few words as possible. It means a lot to hear that they remain substantial despite their length.
- Quilly
Hi, Quilly! Tag! :D
It's not the Christmas of always, but it is a Christmas of new beginnings, and Ginny finds hope in that, Harry by her side. Ah, I love this closing line so much!!! It's so meaningful and I love the contrast you've created, between the grief and the hope for the future! I also absolutely love the paragraph right before, and what everyone brought to the dinner, especially the reference of Fleur being pregnant with Victoire! <3 Aww, that's such an adorable detail to include! <3
But back to the beginning... poor Ginny... :/ It can be unnerving when things don't come out the way you were hoping them to... I can totally feel her frustration... but then you show us that there's much more than simple frustration going on there. She's grieving for Fred, she's feeling the pressure of making Christmas dinner work out, even if Molly is not up to organize it like she used to, so her "failure" is more than that... when you are hit by grief and under stress, every little thing can make you break down, and that's exactly what you have happening here, and I can definitely sympathize. At least, Harry is there to offer help and support! <3
And yes, Petunia exploiting him in the kitchen is paying off, sort of... :P And he can fix Ginny's mess and put something together for the dinner. I wasn't at all surprised, and it made me smile that Ginny was a bit shocked by Harry's secret talent :P
Oh, okay... I mean, I sort of get the whole adult/schoolgirl relationship awkwardness, but, honestly, they are only one year apart, they've been together for a while and they have already shared a bed before, so why all the scruples, Harry? (I think it's actually cute the way he wants to be respectful etc, but I also have to roll my eyes a little... :P And I suppose Ginny feels the same way... :P)
Another lovely one! A bit bittersweet, but I am all for bittersweetness, and I love what you've done with the prompt! And I still love the way you are writing Harry and Ginny together so much! <3
Wonderful job!
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Chiara! Thank you for coming by! I'm glad you enjoyed the way the chapter ends. I really wanted to showcase a change in mood, and it made me so happy to hear you caught that contrast. Harry's chivalry is definitely eye-rolling behavior! But I think his obsession with doing the right thing often isn't much logical. Lol Thank you for all the kind words. <3
- Quilly
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