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Hi Deana! I’m here to spread some holiday cheer! Happy new year!
I don’t think those orders are all that simple, to be honest. Not if they come from Voldemort.
Training with Bellatrix doesn’t sound like the most fun of experiences, but then, none of this entire thing screams fun.
Should be, maybe, but going from Killing albus (or trying to) to this… it probably isn’t that easy
And here we go, this aint easy and you know it
yeah maybe you shouldve thought about that a tiny bit earlier
yeah i actually second them, i do believe that draco can do the right thing, he just needs to follow his beliefs, instead of others, and then he’ll find what he’s looking for
YES DRACO I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT. Like, this might be dangerous for you, but i knew he had the best thing in his head and that he could do what was right - and here he is, proving it once and for all, good job
also nice job of showng the struggle, deana! it makes perfect sense for draco!
Hi, there, Roxi! I'm slowly bringing more reviews over from The Old Place to the new one. Here's a blast from the past!
Hi, Roxi! Here for our review swap.
First off, congratulations on nailing the 1,000 word mark. I'm sure there was a huge amount of editing and hand-wringing choices that went into that.
Your Draco was pretty natural-feeling. He goes into his mission with a pretty clear objective, but then he thinks things through and comes to an epiphany. And his mother was one of the biggest drivers of that epiphany. He's very reminiscent of the Draco we see in Deathly Hallows, struggling to make better choices in the face of overwhelming pressure to the contrary.
<i>Get in. Cause a diversion. Then get out of the way.</i> -- Sounds about right. I can't imagine the Dark Lord would trust him to do much more than that with a mission as important as bringing down the Minister of Magic. This isn't meant to be a suicide mission like the one to kill Dumbledore, Voldemort actually expects this one to succeed.
The only real constructive criticism I could offer is that it felt really easy for Draco to make it to Scrimgeour's bedside. I think the story would have benefited a lot if you could have made it something specific about Draco or the Lestranges that made it possible. For instance, maybe they recruited the Death Eater inside the Ministry who betrayed Scrimgeour. All that said, I'm not sure what I'd cut to make it still fit in 1,000 words. There's a good reason that I've never attempted this or the 500 word challenge. ;)
I thought you did a good job with Scrimgeour's reaction to Draco. He keeps his wits about him and tries to stall for time. He's an Auror, not a terrified politician like Fudge.
Your writing flowed really nicely in this story and I didn't see a single typo or grammatical problem. I can see such a big improvement compared to when I first started reading your writing way back when. You're come a long way, Deana! Great job!
So I’m just going back and reviewing everything I have read already! I really liked this as a starter to your Love Not War Novel. I think it gives a great feel for who Draco is and what he wants to be. And most importantly why. I think everyone’s “ Why” for who they are and why they do what they do is super important and shows how strongly they feel about their decisions.
i really like how Draco is torn between each of his parents but chooses to honour his mother and not his father. His father the death eater likely having killed many people and having an obvious control over Draco and yet he chooses to listen to and make proud his dear mother. All she wanted was a honourable and alive son which is what any good mother should want.
great job honey ;) mwah!
LB
DEANA
i cannot believe it has taken you requesting this for me to actually get round to reading it... i'm a terrible snake
that said, i love this.
So
MUCH
I loooooooove the internal struggle Draco's having and how he's second-guessing his path in life - lets be real, haven't we all felt like some cosmic entity decided our future before we were born? (Just Draco's is a lot more tragic)
AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS MUM aaahhhhhh I'm weak!!! his mum believes in him and he wants to make her PROUD!!!! do i smell a redemption arc coming in the main story????? IM WEAK
i also loooove the little personal reference to time - how you've mentioned he turned eighteen three nights before because any draco lover KNOWS his birthday and i just thought that was such an incredible detail
hafalsfjalf
definitely will be back for more (and I do love me some redemption arcs so i cannot wait to dive in to love, not war!)
- love, em
Hey Deana! Here for your requested review!
What I think the Harry Potter fandom loves about Draco is that he's so complex. He's not irrationally evil like Voldemort or Bellatrix. Draco is certainly unpleasant, mean, and a jerk, but evil? Ehh. I think, ultimately, the Malfoy's chief concern is keeping their family alive. Sure, their values align with Voldemort's, but I think it's more like they thought they'd be better off on Voldemort's side. They look out for themselves first and what can benefit them the most. While this is self-centered behavior, it makes for a fascinating character!
In light of that, I'm curious about where you're going to take Draco. "Doing the Right Thing." Hmm. What is right to Draco? Is 'right' the same kind of 'right' as Harry believes it to be? Or is the right Draco talking about the kind of right that's right for his family?
What I appreciate about this story is that Draco is clearly a complex character. He's certainly not two dimensional. So much rides on this mission. Not just the success of the mission, but that his part is successful. Like, his well-being depends on it. His mother's well-being depends on it. His father's well-being depends on it. He can't screw up: "I was not about to allow myself to mess this up. Not this time. Failure was not an option here." So then why, when he cares for his life and his mother's life so much, why is he hesitating and having doubts?
"... But then I hesitated. In a moment of weakness, I allowed myself to take one look at Rufus Scrimgeour. He was all alone and helpless, asleep in his bed. This didn't feel right to me at all. Killing a man in his sleep? Where was the honor in that? There was none." So, I feel like if Draco was truly committed, he wouldn't have taken a moment to hesitate and look at Scrimgeour. I don't know, I obviously haven't been in that kind of situation, but it feels like to me, if someone was in a position like Draco and on a mission, that person would and should be committed to the cause. If you're in that deep, you shouldn't hesitate. Draco does get roped into all of this, but still. Draco's motivation is his family (or at least his mother). Life or death of someone you care about is a strong motivation. So why in the world does Draco hesitate?!
One of two reasons. Or both I suppose. One, Draco doesn't actually care about his life or his mother's life. But that ain't true, so it's not that option. Which leaves the second, which is that deep down Draco knows that what he's doing is fundamentally wrong. "Where's the honor in that?" If someone attacks you, and you defend yourself and kill the person, that's one thing. You were defending yourself. But killing a man in his sleep? Draco feels that it's dishonorable. And he's right!
"Only problem was that I was still uncertain as to what my next move should be. The time had come for me to make a decision. Did I want Voldemort to win or lose in this war? I had to choose." Draco, dude. He's had a year, training with Bellatrix, to think about this. I can only assume that he's having a really, really, really hard time to make up his mind. But! In that moment, he makes his decision.
I feel like the climax is "In that moment, I finally reached my decision. Mother had believed in me, and she was the one I wanted to make proud. Not my father. I looked into the Minister's eyes and spoke for the first time." And then he tells Scrimgeour basically what the dealio is. So Draco chooses to help Scrimgeour. Plot twist! Draco does the right thing. I think for the sake of doing the right thing - he knows the chaos that would ensue if Voldemort were to win the war. But it's also for his mother, to make her proud. And while that's not necessarily morally good, it is endearing.
My favorite lines are these: "Even Dumbledore himself had believed that there was some good in me, though I still cannot figure out why. I had him cornered, after all, and he had still tried to help me make the right choice." Draco can't work out why Dumbledore wanted to help him. It's these lines that make me like Draco in this story. Yeah, he's doubting Voldemort and turning towards being good, but it's that line, the "I still cannot figure out why" line that makes me open up to him and like him. I think it shows that Draco has been thinking about that conversation a lot, reflecting on it. It shows that he's perplexed by the fact that an enemy could show him mercy. The Death Eaters and Voldemort, his supposed allies, don't show him mercy, so why would his enemy? That line shows that Draco has brokenness inside. And it's that brokenness that gives me hope that he can be redeemed :)
Good job! Keep me updated on your WIP, I want to read it!
Alwynse~
the way you managed to give a whole other meaning and depth of character to draco malfoy in just a little over a 1000 words is amazing. the thinking about how he was born a death eater is terrible but sadly true when i remember the prologue of your novel - the way lucius had made his choice the night draco was born has obviously had a huge impact on all of their lives, but especially draco's.
his reflection on what it would mean for lord voldemort to win shows that he truly isn't a death eater, no matter how much he would try and act like one. a death eater would not think twice about it, they would have killed scrimgeour the moment they laid their eyes upon him. but draco hesitated, he stopped to think, and most importantly, he came to the right decision in the end. well, hopefully it's the right decision but obviously he wanted to make his mother proud in being able to things differently than his father (and even her).
i don't doubt that it was a hard decision, but i also think it wasn't actually made in this moment that you portrayed. it will have a huge impact on the future and i feel like draco has started doubting the whole death eater deal long before this point in time.
it's a great set up for your novel!
kris
Hi Deana. Here for your requested review :)
I'm so glad you asked me to read this piece! I'm a Draco Malfoy lover myself, so anything with Draco as the main character is a must for me. I'll admit that at first I wasn't sure whether this story (and Love, Not War) would be Dark!Draco fics or not, but just from reading this one-shot I guess it won't matter, I want to know more!
I like that on the first half of the one-shot, Draco is conflicted about his actions but seems to "accept" them in a way, for his upbringing and for the threat placed upon in by Voldemort and, consequently, the pressure that Bellatrix enforced upon in during the past year.
And then on the second part, Draco seems to assume all that he's brought upon himself, and the part he's played in happenings of the past, and learns, or starts to learn it seems, from his wrong-doings and remembers that there are people who still believe in him, believe that he's capable of more and better things.
As I love, love his redemption arc in canon (The Cursed Child has plenty of flaws, but it did right by him at least, even if it could have gone further imo), to say the least I'm really glad I got to read this piece, and I hope you come back soon to request I continue with Love, Not War.
Susana
Here again for the menagerie. And after reading Saleena, I guess it's fair to give Draco some love, too. :P
It was an incredibly hard and brave choice Draco made here. Rebelling against Voldemort must not be easy, and he's not just rebelling against Voldemort, but against his family and what he's always thought was his destiny, the purpose of his life. Basically, he's rebelling against everything he knows.
I love that he did it for Narcissa, in a way. I've always thought that Narcissa never believed in the Dark Lord's cause, not like her sister and her husband did, at least. She believed in family, and she wanted her son to be safe, and that was the only thing she ever cared about. I love how Narcissa could see the light in Draco and wasn't afraid of telling him so. She was a rebel herself, and I love that concept. Also, I love that she has so much faith in him. I just love the mother-son relationship you make transpire here.
This was such a good read, I loved it a lot.
Chiara
Hey, hey, hey! Kaitlin/TreacleTart requested I tussle with a few Nifflers to retrieve the gifts they stole for staff, so here I am!
My first thought upon seeing the banner for this story and reading the description was “omg! A story about Draco Malfoy working undercover as a double agent for the side of good! I’m in!” I haven’t even read the story at this point, so I’m keen to find out if my first impression was right.
Ooh! Now I have read the chapter description, and I’m hoping this doesn’t spoil Love, Not War! Amazingly, I haven’t read it as yet, but one day, it shall happen!
Double ooh! So my first guess wasn’t right. Alas, Draco Malfoy remains a loyal Death Eater, almost throughout. No spying shenanigans anywhere, alas. This was still an interesting story! I am keen to learn if the Minister of Magic survived, and how the following war turned out as a result. Did he fake his death, thus preserving the canon timeline? Did he survive and drastically alter the canon timeline? I guess all these questions would be answered if I started reading Love, Not War, huh? :P
This was great hook for your novel. Hopefully, one day soon, I shall start reading it! Until next time!
Xx 800
Hey Deana, here with your review from like a month ago (oops)!
So first of all, you know how much I love Draco, so I was super happy to see you drop this in my thread. I love a good dark-ish Draco too -- it lets me imagine what maybe could have become of him if he hadn't turned away from doing thigns in canon at the last minute. Either way, his internal conflict here is SO WELL DONE. The harkening back to his many attempts on Dumbledore's life, and his final one. I loved the way you've characterized Draco to choose to follow what his mother believes he can do rather than his father. His decision to warn the minister is honestly great and I think he realizes now that he knows what and who he is in relation to his Death Eater status and the future status of the world under Voldemort's reign. Just that single exchange of dialogue at the end is wonderful writing on your part. It emphasizes who he is choosing to make proud -- mother over father.
This is a lovely brief character study of Draco Malfoy after he's done his task with Dumbledore before he returns to Hogwarts for that fateful final battle. It's such a good standalone piece, I can't imagine how well this sets up for your novel! Great job with this, Deana! :)
~MadiMalfoy x
Hey Deana! This is for your requested review.
Now that I am done freaking out via nervously pacing around the room after reading this prequel one shot, I can finally get to this review! THIS STORY WAS SO INTENSE.
Your summary is what first startles me. Draco's final mission as a Death Eater? A curse word may or may not have slipped from me. And then I read the first three sentences. They're so impactful: "Get in. Cause a diversion. Get out of the way." This is so chilling! Immediately, I wonder what he's up to... and then, it's obvious.
I want this mission to fail, of course, because I do know what happens: the Ministry falls and Voldemort takes over. But then again, if Draco is unsuccessful, his life is at stake--along with the wellbeing of his mother. You capture his love for his mother so well in this. Narcissa has had such a huge influence over Draco. After all, he does question the honor of killing a sleeping man (this is the point where I shouted, "YES, THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO BE ASKING, DRACO!" at my computer. But then he reverts back into his blood prejudices, which is annoying but that's because I fundamentally disagree with his instilled viewpoint. As a character, this aspect of him (the pull and tug of the moral good) brings Draco to life. He's so well-rounded in this chapter!
And he does redeem himself, I think. And it's thanks for Narcissa. Waking Scrimgeour was probably the best thing he could have done, to be honest. Voldemort wants to kill the Minister, Draco HAS to do what his master says... and yet Draco gets to add his own flavor to his orders. Even though what he's doing is horrible, he does try to have some autonomy. But still... Draco, you're on the wrong side.
One question about the final bit of dialogue. Why does Draco willing say "Voldemort" aloud? I always imaged him to be reluctant to say the V-word, but perhaps this is your characterization of him that will be further developed in your novel!
Overall, this was such an intense, intriguing chapter! Normally, I don't read much of Draco Malfoy. He's a great character to have in a story, but he can be so frustrating with his demeanor and viewpoints. Thank you for requesting because not only did I have a chance to read your wonderful writing but I also had a chance to expand my reading. I look forward to starting your novel in the very near future!
Ahh hi! This was such an interesting start! Draco's character is so neat. I love how conflicted he is and you write it so well! You can really see both sides that he's town between--he knows what the right thing is but he's also torn between his old family ties and pressure from above. But you can already see his redemption coming and I'm excited to see the rest of this story arc play out in the main novel!
The second to last paragraph was really powerful, where Draco commented about how his mother was the one who he wanted to make proud, not his father! I'm sure this helps lead to his final decision and I'm also sure will have repurcussions! I can't wait to keep reading through the series!
Hi Deana! I'm here with your review (finally)!
First of all, I really love reading stories from Draco's POV, and I think you've done a really good job with him here. You've really captured the internal conflict - where he's really only doing this Death Eater stuff because it's what's expected of him but he doesn't really do it with conviction - that JK Rowling hints at throughout the books. You've shown that inner struggle so well in this one-shot, because he's clearly thinking about the consequences of his actions but not entirely sure what to do about it, or what the right thing really is.
I also like the focus on those first three lines "Get in. Cause a diversion. Get out of the way." throughout the piece. It really serves to show that a lot of Draco's Death Eater-y actions are entirely dictated by someone else, and he's only following those orders because he thinks he doesn't have a choice (and I am 112% here for Draco redemption because honestly, the boy wasn't much more than a child while all this was happening and at least he recognized that his actions weren't ideal). I like how the story ends as well - the same as the Dumbledore mission, really, because Draco's inner moral compass (which, it appears, he got from his mother) wins out.
I can't wait to see how this one-shot fits into the entirety of Love, Not War. Feel free to come request more chapters!!
-Taylor
Hey Roxy! Came to check this out before I continued with Love, Not War! This is such a great one-shot! I loved reading how Draco went into that house planning to help kill the Minister and save himself and his mother. And yet, because of his mother he changes his mind at the last minute and decides to warn the Minister instead. I'm super glad he made that choice, even though it didn't turn out so well for him afterward...
xxNix
It’s Maggie here, coming at ya with a review!
Ah! I love this! It’s really short and sweet as far as the length of the fic goes.
I definitely love how this starts out, I’m always partial to fics that jump right into the action since it feels like a really good hook to me. Especially with the way you started this one out with the, “Get in. Cause a diversion. Get out of the way.” That like, not to repeat myself but like that just hooks me so well.
I love your characterization of Draco. He’s definitely one of my favorite characters and I think you do a really good job with his character. You show his inner thoughts and the struggles that he has with being a Death Eater and well not liking being a Death Eater really well. I always love fics that explore the idea that Draco didn’t have a choice in the matter because he was afraid – which I mean, we see that in book six. I especially love this line, “This didn't feel right to me at all. Killing a man in his sleep? Where was the honor in that?” It really shows his character and who he is and that he’s not just a stereotypical Slytherin that everyone in the books thinks that he is.
“I had been predestined for this life before I was conceived. I was born a Death Eater, so I should die one as well. This fate had been chosen for me, so there was really no point in trying to escape it... Was there?” This line actually gave me shivers and it made me so sad for Draco, like logically I know it’s true but seeing it in writing made me go, “MY POOR BABY!”
Now onto that bit about Draco wanting to make is mom proud. LOVE THAT! One of my favorite things from the Deathly Hallows was the fact that Narcissa straight up lied to Voldemort about Harry being dead. Like did she really need to do that? Because like at that point all she cared about was keeping her son safe, and she could have betrayed Harry after he told her that Draco was fine but she like chose not to. Not sure if that tangent about Narcissa was completely relevant other than the fact that I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with her character and her relationship with Draco.
I mean, I don’t really have anything useful to say other than giving you lots of love! All of the love!
~Maggie
Hi Deana! Here with your requested review <3
So this was a really great read! I love the character you've created in Draco. In other fics where Draco joins the Good Guys, there's not always a good rationalization of his reasoning nor is he kept in character (suddenly, he loses all of his sarcasm and arrogance and teenage angst, and that just feels so unbelievable), but I was really impressed to see how in-character Draco was throughout this fic.
The exposition was really interesting to me because Draco's motivations in joining the Lestranges' mission, to me, reflected his internal conflict. On the one hand, he wants to keep his mother safe (which is definitely in-character with him, considering he is SUCH a mama's boy hahaha!). On the other hand, he wants to prove to the Dark Lord that he's not a coward—and that also feels really in-character, considering his general pridefulness and arrogance.
I really liked that Draco kept repeating to himself the three steps, the three instructions to himself—like it was supposed to be that simple (hah!). I also loved that he thought that killing Scrimegour in his sleep had no honor—that is also so in-character and a really profound insight into Draco's ideas about heroism and honor, since I think that's another one of his motivations for wanting to join the mission in the first place: so he can uphold his personal honor and his family's honor.
I liked his intenal conflict when he was trying to decide whether to "make the right choice" or not. I loved that Draco didn't really know what the right choice was; that felt really in-character for him, given that he's only eighteen years old and still developing his moral compass and the adults around him always give him really cryptic advice. In other fics that I've read where Draco joins the Good Guys, he always seems to know exactly what the right choice is and have secretly supported the Order all his life; I love that this fic stays true to his character. His motivation for warning the Minister is not his father or the Dark Lord, but his mother—and that is honestly a) so in character and b) so sweet. I love that this fic highlights one of Draco's most positive character traits: his love for his mother.
I'm really excited to start reading Love, Not War—you did such a wonderful job characterizing Draco, and I really want to read more of your fantastic characterization of him! :) Loved it <3
Hi Deana! I thought this was such an important glimpse into the mind of Draco Malfoy, prior to being poisoned by his father in Love, Not War. I assume that this is the mission that Draco purposefully bungled, which makes this even more interesting to read.
Using first person was a really smart choice, because it allowed the readers to see exactly what was going on in Draco Malfoy's head. We could see his initial conviction that he had to succeed in his mission, and then we could see his mental gears shift towards making his mother proud and doing the right thing. Not everything about him has suddenly changed by the end of the story; he's still brusque and short with the Minister and physically does nothing to aid him, but he gives a life-saving warning.
This was so interesting to read, especially after reading the first few chapters of Love, Not War. It filled in some of the missing information, and now I understand Draco's mentality so much better. (The abuse he's going to suffer after this, though... I'm so glad he did the right thing, but Voldemort tortured him for months after this.)
Wonderfully written! <3
~Eva
Hey love!! I'm here (finally) with a Hot Seat review for you!
I was scanning through your AP, and saw that this was a prequel to your novel, so I thought that I would stop here before I moved on to that. (It's on my reading list!)
I love this idea that Draco was involved with the murder of Scrimgeour! It would make sense though, that Voldemort would order Draco to do something big after he failed to kill Albus. I'm sure Draco would have had to do something to redeem/prove himself. Such a clever idea!
What I really enjoyed was Draco warring with himself. Like knowing that this wasn't right and wanting to do the right thing. How he felt he hadn't had a choice and that he was born a Death Eater and would die a Death Eater. I'm not the biggest Draco fan, but I always did feel sort of sorry for him. Because that was exactly right. He didn't really have a choice, just like Harry didn't. They were both born into their fate. But to see that he wanted to do what was right was great to read.
Knowing the premise of your novel, now I see why Draco would need to go into hiding. With him giving Scrimgeour the heads up, I'm sure that wouldn't go over well with Bellatrix, Voldemort or the rest of the Death Eaters. That too bravery that I always wanted Draco to show, and I loved seeing it.
This was a great one shot and really makes me thirsty for more! I'll absolutely be moving into your novel. I've heard great things about it and wanted to read it already, but after reading this, I need to read it!
Sorry it took me so long, love!!
Hugs,
Meg
I was hooked from the first three sentences!!
If I am being completely honest i have never read a Hogwarts Era fic before I mostly stick with next gen but oh my god Draco is such a perfect character to write from POV wise! He is just so perfectly flawed, I honestly loved/hated him throughout the entire HP series.
I feel like you got his characterization down to a T since we know how conflicted he was about whether he should make his father proud or do the right thing in the books! The poor kid should never have been put in voldemorts clutches so I’m happy to read (Stalked your stories whoops?) that he ends up with the Weasleys! His father doesn’t deserve him!
I wonder why he would feel the need to provide a distraction when the guard was taken out and the minister was alone in his room sleeping? Like i know he had orders but it Seems to me that if he sent a vase towards a wall the rest of the household would hear and come running causing more problems than solutions? That part was the only issue i had with this entire thing lol When i read it I was like whaaa?? UNLESS Draco did it so that way his Aunt and Uncle would be busy and he could get the Minister and his self to saftey?!?!?!?!?!
I would honestly love to read about the Auror spy that got close enough to the minister to become his secret-keeper. Like covert missions where he is almost made and throws another wizard under the bus! Like how interesting would that be?!
I wonder how Scrimgeour knew Draco? Was it because his dad worked in the Ministry?
I love how much of a mama’s boy Draco is and I’M SO HAPPY HE CHOSE TO DO THE RIGHT THING!!!! You’re doing great Sweetie!!
Hey there, just here to transfer my review over from CTF!
"Hey there, here for CTF!
Oh no, this is going to make me feel sorry for Draco isn’t it? I hate that aha. Huh, this could be canon I guess? It’s strange cause I’ve never thought about how the ministry was infiltrated but I quite like this idea, especially Draco having to do it to prove himself to Voldemort.
Ah,so his conscious kicks in. That’s a nice touch, especially since we know that he isn’t as hard as he might like to think. This was shown with Dumbledore, and I think that it’s definitely likely he would have a repeat of what happened there by stalling and trying to decide what the best thing to do is.
I loved the different voices weighing in on his decision, especially the people that you choose, Dumbledore and his mother. I think he would definitely listen to those two figures, and if anyone was going to be able to make him change his mind and get him away from Voldemort, it would be DUmbledore and his mother.
This was a really nice idea for a story, and I liked that although he didn’t stop the attack, because that would have probably got him killed so that’s kind of understandable, he did give the minister some warning and a chance to fight back.
Shaza :)"
Transferred from HPFF
Hufflepuff CtF Review
I’m honestly kind of surprised that Voldemort had been merciful on Draco for failing his mission to kill Dumbledore. He didn’t seem to expect for Draco to succeed or much care if he didn’t - he seemed more interested in punishing the Malfoys than keeping them among his ranks.
And wow, he was under so much pressure his first time around, I can only imagine how that would have multiplied by this point.
Wow, what intense infiltration they had pulled off, getting the minister’s secret keeper to be a death eater.
Excuse me, mister minister, I’d suggest that when you are awoken by a death eater in your house you don’t make idle chit chat about how he got there.
With this one I really wasn’t certain until the very end what Draco would choose, so well done with that.
One thing I quite liked about this piece was the vagueness of “doing the right thing.” There could indeed be different interpretations to that, depending on one’s perspective. Draco has been raised to believe that the “right thing” is to be loyal to his family and their ideals, but that is not what he chose here, adhering instead to a deeper moral imperative. I do like that in this decision, he is still in a way being loyal to his family, just in a different way than he historically has.
This was a cool little one shot, and I’m left quite curious to see how it ties into your longer story!
Sam.
Ooh I saw this and thought I might as well transfer the review for this over too!
Hello Deana! (What a gorgeous name, by the way)
Okay, let's get me up to date, ha ha!
I'm so hooked into this already. Who doesn't love a coup?! And since this is a missing moment from that wonderful novel of yours, now I really want to know what goes around it!
Ah, pooey for the Minister that his Secret Keeper was a Death Eater. You really can't trust 'em. I think I'll just stick to my diary with the little lock.
Ooh poor Draco, he's really at odds with himself, but that's what I like most about his character. He's a good person inside, surrounded by bad people outside. I think you write from his perspective really well.
YAY and of course he did the right thing! Although, since the Lestranges are involved, I still worry for Scrimgeour's safety somewhat.
Okay, so I'm glad I've read this one now, now I can move on to your other works!
♥ Bianca
For a short one-shot, you certain pack a lot in this prequel!
First off, I love how you present Draco here. He wavers between being confident and uncertain at the last moment. It fits the timeframe of that point of the HP novels perfectly. Far too writers fall into the trap of making him overly self-assured. You obviously have a solid grasp on this character.
And his Aunt Bella was his teacher? Oh dear, what fun that must have been ... not! Some people are lucky and have crazy fun aunts; poor Draco has a crazy in a dangerous and demented way aunt. If he suffers nightmares about that training, it wouldn't be surprising.
Another point is how you weaved Narcissa into the tale. She's very present for someone not present at all. It's her past actions, how she tried to protect Draco and the impact it has on her son that speak loudly. Love the quiet strength it shows as well as how it all highlights the bond between mother and child.
Then there's the moment of decision, and how Dumbledore's words replayed right then in Draco's mind as he wavers. It's natural and fits the moment like a glove! Of course, Draco would remember! It's like Draco was standing on the edge of a chasm and his Headmaster saved him again. Very well done!
Overall, this prequel has certainly piqued my interest!
i'm here for CtF but more importantly,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope it is a wonderful day and a wonderful year!
this story captures exactly the aspects of draco i find most interesting. He's not nearly as evil as he wants people to think he is, because being evil keep shim safe. And people will do a lot to ensure their safety, or the safety of their loved ones. And I loved that you emphasized his love for his mother over his love for his father, who is more representative of bigotry and death eaters.
I never really thought about it, but I suppose Draco probably did train with Bellatrix. I wouldn't like to have her for a teacher one bit, would you? It's also kind of ironic because i don't think he fought much in the Battle of Hogwarts, so he never really got to show off his new magic skills. At least, not when Harry was a around to tell us about it.
This story messed with my sense of morality because normally i would have been very excited that draco went against the death eaters, and i sort of was. But I was also annoyed, because he put himself in danger, and I already know that Scrimgeur dies. So I know I *should* want him to do the right thing, but I kind of didn't in this moment. Isn't that weird? =P
It's comforting to think that, despite appearances, Dumbledore's words to Draco did et through to him on some level.
Oh, I almost forgot! Who was the man on the inside? What a traitor! I suppose they coul dhave been under the umperius curse though. Excuses, excuses ;)
Happy Birthday to you!!
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