08/25/07
Jessica Poon, alias Gamma Orionis
The name Jessica lends itself from its first use in 'The Merchant of Venice', a Shakespeare play I never intend on reading or watching, considering my complete enmity for the late playwright. The surname 'Poon' is a Chinese one and is the sort of last name that can easily spawn nicknames, mostly lewd or comical ones (none of which I will tell you. XD) My pen name Gamma Orionis is the scientific name for the star Bellatrix, which marks the shoulders of the constellation Orion. On the MNFF beta boards, my username is Slayer. =)
HP-wise, my favorite ships are Hermione/Draco (delightfully diabolical, not to mention "naughty"), and Bellatrix/Voldemort.
I'm also maniacally obsessed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I swear isn't as hokey as the title might otherwise imply! It's full of vamp-slaying action, pop-culture infused humor, and lovable characters who go through apocalypses, love, and redemption, and isn't that what life's all about? (I can feel you guys all ad-libbing "No, that's NOT what life is all about", so here endeth the rant). If you really need to know more about me (and chances are, you don't), just say the word. :)
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The Sweetest Sin by annie
Rated: Professors •Summary: In the years following Voldemort's victory in the second war, Muggle-borns must become slaves and servants to pure-bloods in order to survive. Over time, Hermione Granger has learned to suppress her pride and independence in households where she is considered lower than dirt. She thought she would be prepared for this new family, just like she was for all the previous ones. What she didn't know was that this new family was none other than Draco Malfoy's. Will she manage hold up when she finds herself struggling to withhold her sharp tongue, returning hatred, and...something else?
The last chapter of this story has been posted! Thanks for reading :)
Thank you to everyone who voted "The Sweetest Sin" as the Best Tearjerker in round 4 of the Dramione Awards!
Thanks to some of my amazing readers, The Sweetest Sin has been/is being translated into seven languages: French, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Czech, Latvian, and Chinese. If you would like the links to any of the translations, please e-mail me or leave a review :)
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 10: His Hidden Heart
I actually appreciated the author notes, it enlightened many things about this story.
Although I still like the direction of this story and I enjoy the mirror as a motherly figure to Hermione...well, the mirror is telling her just a little TOO much..some of the stuff the mirror is telling her should be told to her from Draco himself, which would you know...be more intimate. :)
I particularly enjoyed the nicking of the wand though. :)
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 11: Iris My Love
Ah, make me yak...Draco is evil, and drunk. -.- I don't like Draco in this chapter at all (for obvious reasons, I think). I'm wondering why Hermione didn't make more of an effort to fight him off physically, even if she doesn't have magic...I'm revolted with Draco. :(
However, the writing and descriptions themselves were done well as always. You really know how to play with words.
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 12: Mudblood Town
Nice descriptions as always. :)
Jeanne's brazenness about her situation is a nice contrast to Hermione's total shame about it. The robe thing sort of threw me off...what is on Draco's mind?! You've really got me thinking...
This paragraph was amazing:
The silence that followed was deafening. Even the birds outside that had been singing merrily just moments ago quieted down; it was as if the whole world simply stopped. Hermione knew she had hit an extremely sensitive nerve, and she now regretted her last few words. Just as she was about to apologise, she heard a rustling and looked up to find that Draco had left the room.
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 13: Fire and Glass
Interesting room, I have to say. :)
Although I think the diary was a bit much...Draco doesn't talk like that, and Lucius loves Narcissa (I guess this story isn't completely canon then??)
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 14: The Story of a Girl
Pansy was a bit OOC (she's not that eloquent), but I suppose that's the sin of being too good of a writer...you just have to use interesting words! Anyways, the following paragraph had me reading in awe...really! It is one of my favorite paragraphs in FF-history.
And yet as Hermione considered the last question, she couldn’t help but feel that a plain and simple “no” did not cover the entire answer. In fact, as Hermione began to head back inside as well, she realised that the answer she had given Pansy might not have been said with as much certainty as she originally thought...
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 15: Numb
Hermione looks like Iris Zabini? But Zabini is black, and his sister would also be too...I suppose the resemblance must be an extreme imagination on Draco's part.
Also, it's the Cruciatus Curse, not the Crucio curse/spell. Crabbe has never been so verbal, but then again, he did have a mind of his own in the 6th and 7th book, so maybe that's not so OOC after all...Who is Stimson? What happened to Goyle?
And could the person who apologized be Draco? (I really, really hope it is...)
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 16: Ice
Wow, Hermione calls Draco by his first name. I smell romance...anyways, the Iris story is fascinating, although Draco really is a lot more eloquent and OOC in his dialogue. Overall though, another great chapter and do stop apologizing for author's notes---they're fun to read and very enlightening!
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 18: Unexpected
The dream in the first paragraph was really genius. Truly.
"And yet, would you consider yourself human anymore?"
Wow. Pansy gets so many good lines. She's a bit more likeable in this story (a bit, not a lot). That in itself is an amazing feat.
I don't want Draco to love Hermione for looking like Iris...this is depressing...I'd like "real" love. Wow. I sound like a sap. Anyways, the note thing was cool, although I think Draco wouldn't have put her first name or his own name. More mysterious, you know?
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 20: A Terrible Crime
Death Eater training? I never imagined such a thing...Tommy being a Death Eater itself is extremely unrealistic...although I realize the motive for it in the story.
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 20: A Terrible Crime
Death Eater training? I never imagined such a thing...Tommy being a Death Eater itself is extremely unrealistic...although I realize the motive for it in the story.
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 3: Up to Something
I don't expect you have time to respond to reviews anymore, but I'm sure you still read them! Anyways, my favorite bit was:
Pansy gave her a look of contempt and replied, "I don't know. You're Draco's slave, not mine."
I'm not quite sure why, but that sentence made me laugh, and also struck me as significant as to how Hermione is pivotal to Draco in this story.
The interactions between Draco and Hermione are very chilling (and sometimes amusing), and I really really like this story!
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 4: Crimson
This was an intriguing chapter. Despite the italicization, I was quite scared for Hermione in her dream and was afraid it might be real.
"reminded instantly of blood" Wow, just wow. Excellent descriptions, and not overdone either...also enjoyed the ending. :) "catch up on old times." Too much fun!
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 5: No Amount of Pressure
Draco's insight into Hermione is very interesting to read about and reminds readers that he was watching her sleep...creepy, observant and so, so compelling...you are one wicked devil, you know that? ;) Probably the only objection I have in the story are the names Kathryn and Tommy when Draco comes from a family who names all their kids traditionally by a constellation of some sort (his mother being the exception, of course).
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 6: Her Own Secret
You said this chapter would be boring, but there was some really awesome insinuations made by Pansy. I LOVED these 3 paragraphs so much...!
"I suppose Draco knows about this?"
Hermione nodded stonily.
"Oh, no wonder why he's taken such an interest in you. He usually doesn't pay much attention to the Mudblood servants. Of course, he's too busy with other affairs to rea-" Pansy cut off there and an odd expression spread across her face. A split second later, she shook her head and snapped, "Get back to work."
Awwww, Draco's taking an interest in Hermione.
On a less sappy note, I have to tell you again just how much I enjoy this. The dialogue is usually spot-on, although sometimes Hermione is a bit too formal (in other chapters) I thought. BTW, I also adored the brief eye contact made by Hermione and Draco. I'm going to be sad when I finish reading this (probably today)...
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 8: The Only One
I guess that your story isn't canon with HBP then? Anyways, I can't imagine Draco using the Cruciatus Curse (not the Crucio spell) on poor Justin Finch-Fletchley...unless he did it out of his will? Draco is a lot more sinister in your story than in the books, which I guess suits the tone of this story. I thought their conversation was intermittently OOC at times, but for the most part, another good chapter. :)
Date: 10/08/07 Title: Chapter 9: No Idea
I find Pansy's loyalty to Draco amusing, despite how he completely disregards her in his life.
Pansy sniffled again and whimpered, "Don't talk about him like that."
Blaise Zabini?! What a shocker! Gah, I never would've expected that. I can't believe Hermione would ever find herself in such a terrible, undignified situation...I suppose he must have disarmed her and taken her wand and any chance of protecting herself...poor Hermione.
I am wondering about the inconsistency though...wasn't it the third floor she was not allowed to enter? (Or am I having a memory fluctuation?) Also, things like Quidditch should be capitalized, but another intriguing chapter nevertheless.
Date: 08/25/07 Title: None
The first paragraph of Andromeda's Birth was a flawless description of scenery and atmosphere that conjured pictures in my mind...more explanations are needed to how Voldemort is linked to the Blacks...is Cygnus a Death Eater? However, I'm sure you'll instill more explanations in further chapters...also, you might want to check your spelling of Grindelwald. I also think that Bellatrix's pet name should be used a lot less frequently, because Voldemort's use of her pet name significantly implies affection for her (or at least, it does to Bellatrix/Voldemort fans). Other than that, this is by far the best Bellatrix fanfic I've read (and I've read plenty)...=)
Which Flavor Do You Prefer? by genuinescence
Rated: •Summary: When a hopeless James goes to his marauder friends for advice on how to get Lily to go out with him, Sirius tells James a story. Would Sirius' story help James make a wise decision, or not? Lots of marauder humor. One-shot, MWPP L/J, plz R&R
Date: 08/25/07 Title: Chapter 1: Which Flavor Do You Prefer?
I thought this story was hysterically funny, particularly when Remus wondered whether his eyes would get permanently stuck from rolling his eyes. The ice cream story was awesome, and I'm guessing the ending implies that Remus and James thought Sirius was Guy Number Two...Sirius seemed a little sleazy with the "appointment sheet", but it was all in good fun...
What is Real by orange_balloon
Rated: 6th-7th Years •
Summary: At the end of her sixth year at Hogwarts, Hermione was hoping for a quiet summer. She just wanted to go home to spend time with her family and study before returning to the Burrow and her budding relationship with Ron. Then she started dreaming about Draco Malfoy. . . While helping Draco reach safety with the Order of the Phoenix, she finds herself in his arms. Could Hermione’s new found connection with Draco ruin everything with Ron forever?
A Hermione and Ron ship with a heavy dose of Malfoy! I've chosen to list this under Various Pairings due to the complex nature of the story. Both R/Hr and D/Hr shippers will enjoy!
Date: 08/27/07 Title: Chapter 2: Dreams
This second chapter is really great! I love how you wrote about Hermione practicing spells and Apparating to breakfast...I think having a dream about Malfoy would be one of the best ways to set off an infatuation...and I also love how you wrote:
Not "Granger" like he normally called her
That's hysterically funny to me for some reason, because it's true. Malfoy seems to avoid calling anyone by their first name, even his pals like Crabbe and Goyle. Your story is awesome. :)
Date: 08/27/07 Title: Chapter 4: His Story
This third chapter was a lot harder for me to believe, because I don't think Malfoy would surrender himself so easily---I think he would drop very vague, cryptic hints and not launch into such a detailed rampage of everything that had happened and how he felt. I also deeply question the emotions he showed to Hermione, who he always showed contempt to. Complimenting Hermione also seemed unlikely. I also think Hermione welling up was even more unlikely...I think it would have been more realistic for her to feel "troubled" or the "tiniest drop of sympathy" (like Harry did in HBP), but not cry for him...they were mortal enemies for so long...it should take a bit longer to reacquaint..
Hope I'm not coming off as too critical, because I will continue reading...You have me intrigued. :)