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

[peverell]

Wow! You had me hooked from the first paragraph. It read so naturally and unfolded in a very organic way that I could feel Tonks's aching sense that she was adrift among the stars. I found the image of Remus curled up away from her in the bed specially telling. I didn't see the resolution of that (You kick, my dear) coming at all. It was a small detail that was true to life (I'm accused of it too, only not as nicely) and you included so many of those, from Molly's denial, to George's reaction to his hospitalised twin and Tonks's own jaded post-war state of mind.

I think my favourite line comes from Tonks: Why is it that to a woman the words 'I love you' are a declaration of feelings but to a man they're an invitation to initiate sex? Answers on a postcard, please, to... :LOL:

It's not a happy, fluffy fic but it contains hope and I enjoyed the way you showed that amid the numb 'what-the-hell-now?'
Xia

[wildmagelet]

*huge sigh of relief*

Thank you so much for this review! I meant to reply the other night, but it came in right before I went to bed. It was an enormous relief, though, to know that someone else picked up the things I was trying to express, because it quite often doesn't seem to work out that way! :) And I had such a struggle writing this, I almost scrapped it at one point. I still think it drags too much for the first three-quarters, but I've thrown up my hands and am leaving it the way it is. I'm also relieved that the word "melodramatic" didn't appear once in your comment, although I wouldn't have been all that surprised if it did. I was really worried about verging beyond angsty and into HP soap opera.

Thank you again for the encouragement, really. It's much appreciated.

And if you get any answers to that universal question, hee, please pass them on! Probably every woman in the world would appreciate a copy of that postcard.

[peverell]

I'm also relieved that the word 'melodramatic' didn't appear once in your comment

Pshaw! The idea didn't enter my head! I meant every word; the tone of the piece felt very natural, considering what we project they'll have gone through. If I'd read through for you, I couldn't have suggested any changes, or suggested cuts either, since you felt it dragged at first. I didn't. I felt it created necessary layers of emotion that gave the fic a believable realism. I'm really glad you didn't scrap it. What a treat we'd have lost!

Xia

[citysnidget]

this was absolutely fantastic. The way you show Molly's grief is especially realistic, and the way you portray George was painfully heartwrenching, but wonderful. I also loved Tonks wondering why she thought of her life as a novel (teehee) and her realizing that she's now free to do anything.

[wildmagelet]

Thank you so much for reading, first of all, since I know there's a bit of an overload of R/T fiction this week (although I'd never complain about that!) and for taking the time to leave such a nice comment. It's very encouraging, really, since I was probably more worried about this fic than anything I've posted before. I had quite a few thoughts about scrapping it at one stage and starting over, but decided I was too lazy to do that, hee.

I'm especially glad if Molly and George's feelings came across realistically, because I'm always biting my nails with angst and grief scenes and wondering if the Days of Our Lives theme music ought to be playing in the background.

I also loved Tonks wondering why she thought of her life as a novel (teehee)

I'm sorry to say that that was a direct self-projection into the fic. I occasionally have a sad habit of doing the same thing! :)

[jesspallas]

That was excellent. Really well written and characterised and making a good point about the fact that things aren't automatically right once a war is over. The reactions of the various characters to their losses/changes were realistically drawn. Nicely done! :)

[wildmagelet]

Thank you so much. Really. I was more worried about this fic overall than just about anything else I've posted before, I think. Mostly because I'm not used to writing scenes where there isn't much dialogue. Or much action, really. And because I always think it's very easy to slip away from angst and into serious melodrama! So it's an enormous relief if you think that the reactions of the characters seemed realistic.

Plus, I have to admit to a slight fangirl moment when I saw your name on the review. In From The Cold is still one of my favourite R/T fics and one of only about six fanfics that I've ever actually bothered to print out and keep. I almost wouldn't have cared if you'd been leaving a flame.

[redonthefly]

We both fret about having time to write a proper fic for this even, so I go and write just over the required word length and you write a 10,000 word, aching beautiful, brilliant piece of work.

Molly carrying around the tattered photograph.
George smoking Instant Darkness Powder.
Hermione taking sleeping potions.

Oh. My. GOD.

Besides using a set of strange prompts perfectly, you've nearly made me cry from all the aching want and raw emotion here. But, like Xia said earlier, its about having hope in the end to wake up the next morning and still get out of bed.

Just...wow.

[wildmagelet]

We both fret about having time to write a proper fic for this even, so I go and write just over the required word length and you write a 10,000 word, aching beautiful, brilliant piece of work.

Which I think says more about sanity, or lack thereof, than anything else. I just about needed to take a mental health day when I finally finished it, lol. And I know everyone can be their own worst critic, but I think a lot of it needs serious revision. But thank you so much for those incredibly nice comments, seriously. I almost scrapped this fic at one point because I just wasn't sure where it was going and there really didn't seem to be much happening. (The part where Tonks wonders if the conversation has a point was a direct self-insert, I couldn't help myself :) And I was really worried it was getting a little overly dramatic. But thank you again - I love your own writing, obviously, so it makes comments doubly special and appreciated.

its about having hope in the end to wake up the next morning and still get out of bed.And thank you for

[redonthefly]

Ah, I do know what you mean. Sometimes I'll go back and read my old stuff for reference, and just... *wince*. bringandfly once read me my rights for criticizing myself too much, and she made a very valid point: the rest of the world is far to eager to bring you down without you helping them along. So. Chin up. I thought it was fantastic.

I also do not think the story wandered into the overly-dramatic. It was filled with a quiet desperation, yes. But it needed to be; that was the whole point!

[wildmagelet]

Baffy is a wise woman, so I'll take that advice! :)

Although not about the stuff that I wrote years ago, I draw the line there! Cleaned out my desk today and found my old writing notebooks from when I was around twelve, thirteen, fourteen. And, OH DEAR. I was hooked on Titanic and that teen Love Stories series at the time. The main character of one story was a Mary Sue named Kayla. Enough said, really.

[anoipua]

This is fantastic. My heart broke for Molly and George, and I loved the final bit with Tonks and Remus. Bravo.

[wildmagelet]

Thank you! :) I had serious doubts that I was going to make the deadline, so I'm looking forward to sitting back and relaxing with other people's fics now.