Beginnings

[gilpins_tales]

Title: Beginnings
Genre: Drama, general, romance
Rating & Warnings: PG and none, apart from the author being back at the start of OotP.
Word Count: 3265
Summary: She wore a black glittery top over faded jeans and he looked into the young, upturned face which was wide at the brow, pointed at the chin, and the colour of warm ivory. When Remus met

Comments

[duck_or_rabbit]

I just read this today and I love it!

First, thank you for writing a first meeting scene between Remus and Dora in which Remus is confident and coy, instead of overly self-conscious of what he considers his short comings, and Dora is clever and cute, instead of already in love with Remus in an unbelievable sort of way.

Second, you write the best Dora, no contest. She is always smart and sexy in your hands. This is so important because Remus would be attracted to a witch who has as much going on on top as she does on the bottom (I've always imagined Dora with a cute little shape). The line You’re not one of those men who says ‘sorry’ all the time, are you? is brilliant because it tells us that Dora has established a taste in men without rolling out a list of her preferred characteristics because who wants to read something that direct? It's a way of explaining that Dora needs a self-confident man, who we know Remus can become when he allows himself to.

Third, the rapport you build is extremely realistic because it's often the case that we think we put our foot in our mouth when meeting someone for the first time only to find out as the conversation develops that we haven't. Charming and real.

And, finally, of course, Sirius. I love that he is in a rather weird place with Dora. There are allusion of him wanting to test the romantic waters with her to a point (or am I totally on a different planet?). I think this is interesting because Sirius struggles to regain an identity after escaping the big A and watching him fumble from time to time reassures me that he is always trying his best to achieve some semblance of a balanced life within the constraints he is placed. The hopeless, ready to give up Sirius is not my kind of Sirius.

Thank you for writing another wonderful HP fic! :D

[gilpins_tales]

Thank you; I'm very pleased you enjoyed it as it was great to write.:D

I was a bit worried as this is such an oft-done and imagined scene that people might think it had been oft-done once too often now and steer a very wide berth, lol. But I wanted to do one to try and reflect the Remus we see at the beginning of OotP, who strikes me as being both very capable and confident, even if there's hidden doubts and all sorts underneath, along with a Tonks who'd make an unexpected impact on him in somewhat similar-style to how she does on Harry. Definitely not love at first sight, but interest as like recognises like. And intrigue?

Am glad you like the 'sorry' line; I put it in partly so that Remus can get back at her with it later on, thereby delighting her that he isn't a man who backs down but gives as good as he gets, and, yes, partly because I can't imagine her with someone polite and conventional because she'd be bored that he isn't as quick as she is. She's always smart and sassy to me because that's what would attract him. (I may have to work the cute bottom in soon;))

And, finally, of course, Sirius. I love that he is in a rather weird place with Dora. There are allusion of him wanting to test the romantic waters with her to a point (or am I totally on a different planet?). I think this is interesting because Sirius struggles to regain an identity after escaping the big A and watching him fumble from time to time reassures me that he is always trying his best to achieve some semblance of a balanced life within the constraints he is placed. The hopeless, ready to give up Sirius is not my kind of Sirius.

You've hit the nail on the head with what I was going for there, with struggles to regain his identity. I was trying not so much for straight-forward romantic interest, but more reassurance, if you like, that he'd still got what it takes if he was interested in her. A contrast to the Sirius in Snape's worst memory, who can take female interest for granted, without having to even think about it. But years later, I feel he'd be saying, 'this is my life now, let's get things going again', (definitely not ready to give up!) and he'd gravitate naturally towards Tonks. Because of who she is and because she's an attractive young woman. Which is why I always incline towards there being a lot going on between the three of them when it becomes obvious that she's interested in Remus...

You've made me want to write the next meeting now. ;)

Thank you again for such thoughtful and detailed comments. I really appreciate it and reading it again to answer this was every bit as nice as the first time around!