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That's the sweetest.
How Ginny connects the looks of determination he's had over the years and realizes he has one especially for her. You're doing a wonderful job connecting all the dots (in the stars even? :) )
This brief interaction with Teddy was adorable too, it also felt like it implied that he's visited many times and is taking his Godfather duties very seriously which I can completely believe.
Great job!
-Heather
I like the way jealousy is addressed but doesn't overwhelm. I've never been a fan of stories that get too dramatic with that topic.
I also never thought of Rolf being young enough to be a transfer student to Hogwarts either, but I like the addition! Nice touch!
P.S
Since your chapters are shorter than mine I can R/R more, no pressure to reciprocate as many as I do.
-Heather
That was really lovely.
First, I like how you wrote grieving Harry. That he wouldn't talk. He wasn't great at saying how he felt anyway, why would he start now? Ginny would use her snarkiness to cover her pains too, I think they compliment each other perfectly given the situation.
They've both been away from each other for too long to hold back desires now and comforting each other would be second nature at this point. I loved the ending, very sweet and very poignant.
I will definitely be reviewing more!
Thanks for the swap,
Heather
Author's Response:Hi Heather! I'm so glad you thought Harry and Ginny's way of grieving was believable to who they were as characters. Thank you so much for leaving such a wonderful and kind review <3 Quilly
Wait a moment; Arthur Weasley's died?? NOOOO! :'(
But now after you've hit me with that, I'm gonna have to cackle at Bill receiving Arthur's toaster collection because he was the favourite, BAHAHA! I wonder how many toasters were in it??
Ginny receiving the vinyl collection is really sweet, the way it evokes memories of her excitement as a child whenever her Dad brought home a new record for the collection. It's perhaps a good job the Potters have a turntable to play them all on.
I loved the debate about whether to send Lily to school a little earlier (at McGonagall's discretion), and the fact that Harr and Ginny would get to kiss in peace as the perfect excuse to do so, haha!
I wonder which memory Xander is recalling? If he did hear the song before he met Harry, does that mean that Harry's memory charms aren't quite as trustworthy as he hoped??
Loved the last line:
"The song ends, and a new one starts to play, and Ginny keeps on dancing, her hands on Xander’s shoulders, her eyes on her daughter, her heart with her husband, and her mind still on her father, the memory of him, a never fading thing."
And I listened to the song as I was reviewing this!
Beautiful chapter <3
M <3
Wait a moment; Arthur Weasley's died?? NOOOO! :'(
But now after you've hit me with that, I'm gonna have to cackle at Bill receiving Arthur's toaster collection because he was the favourite, BAHAHA! I wonder how many toasters were in it??
Ginny receiving the vinyl collection is really sweet, the way it evokes memories of her excitement as a child whenever her Dad brought home a new record for the collection. It's perhaps a good job the Potters have a turntable to play them all on.
I loved the debate about whether to send Lily to school a little earlier (at McGonagall's discretion), and the fact that Harr and Ginny would get to kiss in peace as the perfect excuse to do so, haha!
I wonder which memory Xander is recalling? If he did hear the song before he met Harry, does that mean that Harry's memory charms aren't quite as trustworthy as he hoped??
Loved the last line:
"The song ends, and a new one starts to play, and Ginny keeps on dancing, her hands on Xander’s shoulders, her eyes on her daughter, her heart with her husband, and her mind still on her father, the memory of him, a never fading thing."
And I listened to the song as I was reviewing this!
Beautiful chapter <3
M <3
"The earth welcomes it quickly, allowing it to spread across her land, melting into her every corner, becoming so much of her that it becomes impossible to decipher the land from the sun. Blue tinted snow and burnt orange glow become one and then they slip behind closed doors, leaving the world in darkness."
Oh wow! What a vivid and beautiful opening to this chapter! I love the imagery in this, sunset melting into land. And ... this is the moment that Xander arrives at Potter Manor? <3 I adore the way that Harry and Ginny just took him in, just like a magical family would have done for Harry, given half the chance. I suppose both Harry and Ginny would have reasons for not turning Xander away; Harry because he faced so much rejection during his childhood, especially his earlier years, and Ginny because the Weasleys always seemed to welcome everyone so it must have become part of her culture too.
But wow, the guilt that Harry must feel at taking away Xander's memories - I'm still not sure why that had to be done - but Harry will have his reasons. It's not something to be undertaken lightly after all.
Love the use of the 'sunset' prompt here!
M <3
Hi Quilly!
I really love how this chapter begins from the mirror's point of view, how it has witnessed a chronology of events from engagement to running after toddlers <3 And now it's watching Harry plait Lily's hair. It doesn't sound as though he's quite got the knack for it yet, haha, but how sweet is Lily saying 'well tried, Daddy?' And then James being his tearaway little self by dangling Albus from the chandelier; gosh, he really is naughty/adventurous, isn't he?!
It's also very sweet that Lily looks like the grandmother she is named for, who she'll never meet. Also in character, it would seem, as Lily Luna doesn't seem to mince her words, telling her Dad that he needs to learn to plait her hair because it's not up to party standards, despite telling him that he tried, haha!
And the mention of the Mirror of Erised - yeah, think Harry's heart's desire truly is his reality now.
Such a fluffy read!
M <3
Hey Quilly!
This was such a creative use of the prompt. Who would have thought that it would be fierce, independent Ginny Potter who would be finding reasons not to leave? And who would have thought it would be Quidditch that she was finding reasons not to leave for?
I really feel her pain and anguish in this chapter. Long-distance commuting is HARD. And it gets harder the longer the contract goes on for. Everything is calling Ginny back home; the lure of her husband, her two sons, the daughter that doesn't know what to call her, and she's had enough. I don't blame her. Harry;'s probably missing her just as much as she misses him when she's away, but it's Albus's juvenile honesty, James's self-sufficiency, Lily's uncertainty as to who Ginny really is in her life that causes her to crack.
Brave to keep battling on to the end of her contract. It'll be tough, but she'll look back and be proud that she did it, I'm sure.
Loved this. Sweet and sad at the same time.
M <3
Hi Quilly!
Oh good grief!! James Sirius Potter sounds like a real handful! I love that he's running rings around his parents. His Dad defeated Voldemort, but James is outwitting him in fine style! LMAO that James took all the Sirius night-time story and absolutely ran with it, becoming a dog during the annual brunch event. That must have been a tad embarrassing when he started chewing a woman's skirt. Thank goodness Teddy was on hand with treats and a whistle. Did he know something like this might happen?? I hope he wasn't the one that put James up to this...!!
Ahhhh, that's such a cute convo about wanting another child and then Ginny's all like 'well guess what? We've already got another one on the way!' And I LOVE how Harry jumps into super protective mode and berates himself for allowing Ginny to run around after James earlier. Stop it, Harry! 1/ He didn't know, and 2/ Ginny's pregnant, not made of china!! She'll not shatter just by doing normal stuff...
Love the ending to this chapter 'but after, not before'. And somehow, I'm feeling incredibly sad now because via ITD I know that their love on this existential plane is not going to last, and it's just heartbreaking when two people are so in love with each other that one must go early...
M <3
Hi Quilly! Here to review the next installment of ILOY <3
OMG, I am laughing so hard at the fact that anyone throws a party for Harry Potter expecting only a few people to turn up! Not sure whether that's cutely naive or delusional, haha! I am not surprised the room is packed full, and yes, Harry would hate this. This is so NOT how he'd want to celebrate becoming the youngest Head Auror ever - if he'd want to celebrate it publically at all. And apparently - errm - he doesn't. Want to celebrate it publically, that is!
It must be hard for Ginny, because even if she's certain of Harry's love and devotion for her, having other women liotering around like vultures would worry the most confident of partners. I like how it's Percy who puts Ginny at ease by pointing out the Harry's eyes have been on her all evening.
AHAHAHA - that's the way to celebrate! Sneaking off to Harry's new office and doing it on the desk. Brilliant! As long as no-one is nosy enough to come looking fro them...
This was so much fun! Looking forward to reading the next one :)
M <3
Hi Quilly,
Wow. This chapter packed a punch. It starts off all sweet and delightful with a touch of mischief, just like James himself, but the wine seemed to have fuelled a very serious conversation amongst the adults. The detail of why Albus's door has to be charmed is so cute - I can just picture James plonking Albus on his broom, haha.
And the wedding invites drawn individually by Luna's hand is such a gorgeous detail that would definitely be something Luna would do. The flow of conversation feels so natural; from hand-drawn wedding invites, to Ron's poor choice of words and lack of creativity, to Hermione begging the Weasley siblings not to fight...and then Ginny extolling Luna's virtues, which is such typical drinken behaviour when you're sitting with a group of close friends. And again typically of drunken diatribe, things take a downward turn to the year leading up to the Battle of Hogwarts.
This line:
"There are certain memories that drown you whole, even years after you’ve reached shore, and, right now, they’re coming at Harry, one wave after another."
is so tragically beautiful and profound. There are certain horrors that some people will never fully escape from because they are so implanted in their mind.
And this:
"Ginny’s playing with his hand, her fingers pulling at his softly. “Harry taught me how to believe in love,” she says, ever so quietly, “but Luna taught me how to believe in humanity.” "
is just a perfect tribute to Luna.
What a beautiful chapter and use of the prompt.
M <3
Awwww, this is just super adorable <3 The line about taking Ginny's heart out of her body and placing it on her chest, calling it a healthy baby boy is just so beautiful and poetic and the perfect description of the love that Ginny has for her baby. Harry is adorable in this too, especially when he's reassuring Ginny that he won't allow any harm to befall theiur newly-born son. And Ginny's trust in her husband because she allows herself to sleep, knowing that James will be protected.
It's a weird concept, healthy newborn babies being placed in a nursery away from their mothers just after birth. Most mums would want their newborns right next to them. I love the description of James's hair already having that 'signature Potter gravity defiance' haha!
Really enjoyed this super cute chapter!
M <3
'A terrible bore whose only hobby consists of saving the world'
Best. Line. Ever,
I love that you put this moment of togetherness into words and made it a little oasis of peace in amongst the turmoil of far-right fascism in the US and Ginny's discomfort of late-stage pregnancy. Whilst it's true that evil never ends, as long as there are good people willing to fight against it, there'll always be some light to look forward to.
Harry must be so tired, but he still puts the effort into making Ginny feel as comfortable as she can. And she in turn gives him other things to think about :snort:
Your dreamy, descriptive writing is :chef'skiss: as always
M <3
Hi Quilly!
Well, you hit me with ALLLLL the feels with this chapter! I snorted when Harry said 'do you like it here' meaning the house, and Ginny replied 'I like it when you kiss me anywhere' LMAO. It must be strange for Ginny to be living in this huge house with only Harry for company after sharing The Burrow with so many family members, but home is where Harry is, right? It doesn't matter if it's a mansion or a tiny two-up two-down <3
The tabloids are utterly vindictive. IRL, I have no idea how they get away with saying three-quarters of the things they do. I can feel Ginny's hurt, more for her unborn baby than anything. there must be a part of her that's anxious what the Potter name will mean for her child, who is famous before he/she is even born. I love how she knows it's a boy (I suppose probability of being a boy is high when you're from a boy-laden family, haha), and I loved the details of going through names. I'm with Harry here; it'd just be confusing and a bit weird to have TWO Harry Potters running around.
I hadn't realised they weren't already married, so when Harry goes down on one knee and presents Ginny with a ring, it took me by surprise too! :sweatsmile:
This was so adorable! I love how you write Harry and Ginny together <3
M <3
QUILLY! THIS IS SO CUTE!!
i love this so much. from harry cheering on his girlfriend to ron realizing that his sister has talent at quidditch, to the little moments between ron and hermione that show how perfect they are together. no one minds the rain because it doesn't matter, not when the game is going on - and i love how even though the team didn't catch the snitch, they still won the game, and it doesn't matter that they didn't catch it. some teams might be bummed about that but not the harpies or their fans, and that's so wholesome <3
and the way harry runs to the field to kiss her, i'm swooooning. it doesn't matter that he'll be recognized as a war hero or that he'll be getting an award - all he cares about is ginny. AND! i loved the line about harry telling ron she already knows her worth, and yes, we absolutely stan girls who know it and aren't afraid to hide it. they're so equally matched and you write it so well and so goddamn cute and i love it so much
AND NOT TO MENTION!!! that it's a callback to their first kiss and how ginny (i think? it's been a while since i've read them) kisses him in the gryffindor common room and everyone's watching and cheering and i just - ugh, so stinking cute. my heart needed this little pick-me-up this afternoon and this absolutely delivered, 10/10 cuteness <3 <3
thank you for the swap!! this was such a delight to read <3 <3
Hey, Quilly! Tag! :D
(I figured it was okay that I jumped back so soon, since it's been a few days and I was only a chapter away from the end of this adorable collection! <3)
Okay, I love how you built this! Even without your end note, I was totally going to mention how much I loved the way you reconnected this last chapter to the first one! It was such a clever way to close this, having this little moment in which Harry and Ginny can stop and contemplate their life together so far. And it's so, so sweet how they are both so sure of their choices, even in retrospect, how for the both of them it has always been them, how it doesn't matter that they were so young and (in Harry's case, at least) unexperienced, because they were just meant to be! <3
That little bit about Teddy... <3 <3 <3 You know me, you know I have a thing for Lupins, and the way Harry is reminded of Remus as Teddy talks to him there... aww! Harry doesn't care to know what that other boy does for a living, no matter how noble of a career it might be. He cares only for his boy, the most noble one of them all. This line just filled me with warmth! <3
It's both sad and sweet that Harry and Ginny don't have another side of the family to visit on Christmas Day... of course, it's sad that Harry doesn't have his own family, but the Weasleys are his family, and there's something so beautiful about it! <3
With all other distractions gone, Xander and Lily will ease back into their old dynamics. He will show her the books that were gifted to him. She all asks him questions about it, only to see him grow excited with his explanations. She'll show him her broom. He'll pretend to marvel at it, just to see her smile. This was another bittersweet paragraph... because the image of it makes me smile a lot, but I have a feeling this isn't going to actually happen... but I can pretend to believe it and share Harry's optimism for tomorrow for now, right? :D
(Also the bit immediately before made me smile! I love the idea of James as the encouraging older brother, trying to make Albus feel good about himself rather than pulling him down! Did I mention before that I love the Potter siblings? Because I do! <3)
I adored this last chapter! Such a wonderful closing to this collection! I do love that you chose to end this on a positive, hopeful note! I know that bad things will come eventually, but right now I can just enjoy the fluffiness, and I thank you for it! <3
Wonderful job!
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
quilly! here for our swap <3
i loved this one so much. it was so soft and sensual and tender, you could really feel the love and pure contentment and joy between them. and ginny illustrates that she's exactly the kind of person who harry needs - she treats him like she always has, not like he's some war hero (even though he is). and i loved that even though she was aware that his accomplishments should be celebrated, she just quietly moves onto the next thing in her calendar. she's right; he doesn't need someone reminding him about the war at every turn, he needs to be able to move on and live a normal life. and it makes me so happy that he can do that with her :)
and i loved how you struck the perfect balance between putting the smut on the screen but also letting our imagination take hold; you could still feel the passion and love between them, but this was a great off/on the screen moment, if that makes sense
i'm so happy harry gets to experience this love and joy with ginny in this collection; merlin knows he deserves it
another excellent fluff, friend <3 thanks for the swap!
Hey, Quilly! Back again, this time for tag! :P
Okay, I loved this! It was hilarious! :D
I love the whole, we should be out there helping our children get ready for school, but they are just so caught with each other that they don't really care :P And all the children knocking at their door, and them ignoring it, lol! :P "‘s fine, Al. / We'll have them owled to you." Ahahah! Really, Harry! :D
And Lily's "Are you two snogging again?" :P Love that! I love the "children being exasperated by their parents' mawkishness" trope... it's just so much fun! :D
I suppose this is before Lily and Xander's first year? We only get glimpses of them, but I love how all the children were so wonderfully in character... Lily wanting to fit all her wardrobe in her trunk, Albus being sensible, Xander (being a know-it-all) finding the advanced magical solution, James trying to sneak in illegal stuff at school... just the level of chaos you'd expect from the Potters, and I love how you captured it all in this quick glimpse... and on the other side of the closed door, too... :P
And of course, I love how passionate Harry and Ginny always are with each other... always in love like the first day, aren't they? <3
Such an entertaining chapter, a real delight to read! Wonderful job just as always! <3
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
hi!
here for the reviewing event :)
ooh my gosh, i really love your interesting and unique take on the prompt for this chapter. it was really clever and well played. i think we always knew they were going to be in teddy's life but it's very sweet setting to have this conversation too. this piece is really having them go through different stages of their relationship and they have to keep working really hard at their relationship.
i love how ginny does realize that harry talks a good talk you know?? he clearly means it but this time it's more long term. ginny and harry do feel very unbreakable but they don't seem to take this idea for granted ever. they are always choosing each other. teddy was adorable, i love how they are trying to make this night sky for him but he still loved the real thing. kids are funny like that. this is really lovely and thoughtful chapter <3
Abbi xx
Author's Response:Abbi <3<3<3 Thank you for spoiling me with all these reviews. Baby Teddy has a soft spot in my heart and I loved having the opportunity to include him in here. I just couldn't see him not being a major part of Harry's post Hogwarts life. Your kind words and thoughts meant so much! <3 Quilly
hi quilly,
here for the murder mystery reviewing event :)
ahhh, this was a moment of pure cutest and joy. it's hard to imagine how the hype was after the war but it was captured perfectly here. the rubbish that reporters come out with. harry and ginny deal with them in the best way possible. i think harry is a little concerned that ginny may grow sick of them and their affect on their relationships but this chapter proves to be quite the opposite. it was almost like that big 'i love you' moment in this chapter but it was another important moment for them as a couple to truly know that they can't be broken. they'll always be willing to run away together is a powerful moment for them. <3
Abbi xx
hi!
me again (here for the murder mystery reviewing event!)
aww! I felt this bittersweet mood, the situation that ginny finds herself in with having no-one around, the loneliest of that first christmas. ginny is trying to help and i like it because i feel like ginny would be really annoyed about not being good at something instantly anyway but then mixed it with her frustrated state about trying to help her family. harry is coming in like a knight in shining armor here. i did wonder how he knew cooking but it makes sense doesn't it? boy was in the kitchen a lot. you got some lovely moments here, just wonderful. the chemistry between ginny and harry. amazingggg! the little update on other family members in the last paragraph was nice too!
Abbi xx
hiyaaa,
here for murder mystery reviewing event :)
this just makes me a hard die hinny shipper because i love them so much, the characterization is always so spot on, each situation is crafted in such a perfect way. I think I'm loving it so much because i find all of these situations so believeable which just heightens the fluff for me! i love that! I like the set up of them at the station, coming to pick up the girls and being so busy. the repeating of harry's name with his confusion with everyone else also here. that moment when everyone just 'disappears' as he sees ginny was so cute.
i don't like jealously so much in romantic story (even though natural human emotion obviously) but i thought it was beautifully played in this situation and even added humour into this piece. sassy harry is alive and well. i love their reunion after realising hes an idiot. ginny's confession that her exs always had something to worry about with harry bc he was always the one! <3
abbi xo
Hi, Quilly,
Here I am to review this fine chapter from your universe of Harry and Lily and Xander. This is for the FFT Reveiw Event, but also for the enjoyment of reading your fine writing.
This is a wonderful idea to depict the prompt of 'Fireworks.' The words tumble out like bright jewels scattered over a table. Lots of short sentences. We jump from detail to detail. Our heads are swimming.
How in the world did Kingsley Shacklebolt have the audacity to declare Harry Potter's birthday a national holiday? And Harry's not even dead yet! It's absurd in a laugh-out-loud way. What a madhouse -- crowds chanting, thunderous applause, endless speeches and toasts and feasting. And they're planning to repeat this every year, like Christmas?
So you quickly pass over the official celebration in a few jam-packed paragraphs, and we discover that ther's another party! It's not over yet!
I love the things you have included in this kids' party. The cake made by loving-hands-at-home, which threatens to fall apart before midnight. All the gifts, which each reflect the personality of the giver. The way you show that Xander is being incorporated into the family also even as he is allowed to preserve his own individuality. (A good gift for Harry -- a better lock on the cellar.)
The framed photograph of Harry and Teddy's fathers was an inspired gift from Teddy, and it reminded me of a one-shot I read in the past and nominated for an award, an off-beat story about James, Sirius, and Remus dressing up as Santa Claus and a reindeer on the rooftop on a full-moon Christmas Eve and taking photos, which were eventually given to baby Harry after he grew up. Photos like these are such precious gifts.
I loved how you had James say, "Geeze, thanks, Teddy. You just had to go and make the rest of our gifts look like shit, didn't you?' and Teddy just says, "Maybe try harder next year." Touché, Teddy.
It's a fun and funny story, absurd because we can't really imagine that the Ministry of Magic would do this, let alone every year, so it's just light-hearted imagination at its best. Thank you for writing!
Vicki
Author's Response:Vicki! Thank you so much for stopping by on your way up the mountain <3 I am so glad you enjoyed the bit with the gifts. I enjoyed being able show their personalities through the various things they gifted Harry. There are so many things the Ministry of Magic did that felt ridiculous so this was definitely semi-inspired by their fascination with seeing Harry Potter as a symbol rather than a person. It was so kind of you to show your in-depth thoughts on this piece! Best of luck as you continue to climb up that mountain <3 Quilly.
quilly! here for our swap :]
oh man, i love the direction you took this prompt. i'm not sure what i was expecting, but harry teaching (or trying to teach) ron how to waltz was not it. but it was absolutely perfect. i was laughing right along with ginny at the end, very relieved that harry did, in fact, give her keys to their flat. and that's a huge step in their relationship too, which is very exciting!!
and i also thoroughly enjoyed how you brought back memories with krum and harry suddenly understading why ron needs to learn. it showed their deep understanding and the friendship they had with each other, and i was cracking up at ron's reaction to ginny walking in - his sheer and utter panic/horror that his sister of all people walked it. so, so good
but in the end, it's ginny who teaches ron, and there's something really sweet about that moment - they have each other's back, no matter how ridiculous the request
nice job on this, friend!! thanks for the swap <3
Hi,
Here for murder mystery reviewing event :)
Damn, this story again making me ship hinny so hard. That's not normally me but you've made their interaction just so thoughtful, meaningful and just lovely. This is the couple they were meant to be. I'm obsessed with your version of Ginny for a start, you've definitely build further on the characteristics from canon but made her more rounded and edgy than the books. I love so much how she thinks in this chapter, I didn't really concern Harry's decision not to return having impacts for their relationship but the promise of long distance was so swoon worthy here. Their connection is so clear and lovely. It's got a balance between angst and deep love perfectly done. I love this is almost like a missing moment as I always did wonder how Harry ended up at the ministry honestly. This is wonderful, vivid portrayal of the emotions behind it.
Abbi xx
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