And After That

[wildmagelet]

Title: And After That
Author: wildmagelet
Format: Fic
Rating & Warnings: Rated T, warnings for character death, sexual references and an angst-fest
Prompts: Magical Object: Instant Darkness Powder, Characters: Hermione & George, Verb: Dream, Genre: Drama
Word Count: 9,948
Summary: Tonks had never allowed herself to hope for an aftermath. They had planned and

Comments

[mrstater]

This. is. superb.

There aren't just tons of post-war fics out there, but a lot of them are so fairy tale ending, that the moment Voldemort falls, everyone is joyous, but I think this is so much more realistic, because everyone wants a happy ending, but the sad truth is that people lose in war, especially the people who are out there on the front lines fighting to give the happy ending for other people. And I think that as empathic as we know Tonks is, this scenario, where other people's suffering is all around her dragging her down, would cloud her perception of what they've just done and what they will do now.

The way you've handled how she might have gotten to that point is very interesting, too: in that Remus really needed her assurance that they would take it one day at a time, and not be jaded that they might make it through alive and have a happily ever after together. Not that Tonks didn't know that before -- but would her response to the war's end have been different if they had done the opposite, and looked forward to a future? I'm not sure -- because again we come back to her empathy, and that guilt might still remain, if she'd hoped for her own future, and yet it had been at other people's expense.

Also I really like the idea that she might find herself unemployed because of the Order, as that's something I've always wondered about. In one sense I think HBP was a trial by fire for Tonks, which Remus needed to see that she would stand by him no matter what; but it's a great take on things to bring them to an even more equal point before they think about after the war.

As always, your writing itself is simply perfect. Your narrative is so compelling, with just the right touches of humor and sarcasm to balance those really poignant, aching moments. The stories you've come up for the Weasleys were also a perfect blend of the humorous and the tragic; poor George breaks my heart. (I'm so afraid JKR will do something to one of the twins!)

And of course the scene with Remus at the end is lovely. What he says is so very him, and the way he says it is so gentle, so tender, and I really did feel his quiet joy and happiness, which was really nice after reading Tonks' confused take on him. And I loved his confession that she kicks, because at the very beginning, when Tonks was fretting about him moving away from her in the night was, "Tonks, you're being too romantic. It gets hot when you're in bed with someone else, and you might just be a bed hog or a cover thief."

Really, really wonderful piece. I hope you're very proud of this. :)

[wildmagelet]

Thank you again for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. I always appreciate it more than I can say, especially since you have a knack for reviewing, I think! It's really helpful to look at this fic through your eyes, because you're great at pointing out which bits of the plot came across clearly to you. I was a bit concerned at the lack of dialogue - I still think the first three-quarters drag too much - and at the angsty subject matter, so I so appreciate your comments.

I agree that while I love the idea of the happily ever after (OBHWF all the way!), I don't think that's either realistic or possible given the way JKR has developed the storyline. Everyone has already had enough terror and loss that they couldn't just pick up and carry on after the war with no emotional scars whatsoever. I find it hard to imagine how surreal it must seem to be in the middle of a war or a disaster situation, and how you would possibly go back to 'normality' afterwards. And I thought that of the two, Tonks would actually be the one who would struggle more with that. Remus has had to deal with extreme prejudice and hardship his entire life.

I just hope that DH has a Remus and Tonks who are struggling to keep things together for themselves and their family, and not a Remus OR a Tonks struggling to deal with the loss of the other!

Likewise with the twins! Killing off Fred, George or Luna would be almost ironically tragic, in a way, since they've functioned as the main comic relief.

Thank you so much again. For the review and for the Jumble. I'm planning to retreat to the fic list every time my masters research gets stressful this week. And after I try and resolve the embarrassing work situation tomorrow! :)