I am a serious Harry Potter fan who, according to one friend, "needs rehab." I like canon-compliant stories and pairings, especially Romione, which is probably evident from my stories.
You will notice I don't use British spellings. I strive to accurately portray British culture in my fics and have my characters (and JK's) behaving in culturally appropriate ways. But spelling and punctuation are tools of the writer, and I'm an American writer. I would feel incredibly pretentious using British spellings.
Bachelor life suited Zach Smith just fine, and the lack of expectations on his time and attention suited him even more.
But his life changed in an instant with a knock on the door and an unexpected delivery.
What a fun and interesting premise, Jess. I usually sympathize with people who are struggling to gain the upper hand over their unruly toddler, but with Smith... I'm sort of cheering for Cameron to make him miserable, at least for a couple of chapters. ;)
Can't wait to see where you take this. I liked it!
Author's Response:
Well, it's always good to give guys like him their comeuppance in a manner where they can't weasel out of it. And yeah, I cheered when my plot bunny farm concocted this idea. It's nice to twist some antagonist knickers. :D
Thanks for reading and reviewing one of my, er... not many family friendly fics, hehe.
~Jess
I am sitting here grinning from ear to ear!! What a wonderful proposal, and you even surprised me... I think Hermione caught on faster than I did. Ha! I love that he has not shared any of this with Harry and I love that Hermione did not actually make that tart. The whole thing being over breakfast was lovely, and I could sort of see the whole thing even without the information about setting and what they were doing, etc. Well, done.
You are so sweet to take time to write this for me and I just adore it, Gina! Oh, I forgot... I love that he proposed just by talking to her, and that he kept blurting stuff out but still never came off as if he was messing it up or being unintelligent. And three cheers for Hermione loving the proposal... she gets him, and so its all good with her. LOVE IT! *squishes*My toddler is giving me strange looks as I sit here giggling, my face getting closer and closer to the monitor with every paragraph. Carole, this is just brilliant! You should cast movies or something, because you've picked all the right people for all the right parts. The dialogue has just the right feel (you used YAR!), and I could honestly see this thing playing out in all the same rooms as were used in the movie. At times, I was even visualizing it in black and white.
Roger the dodger, "all performance and no substance", her attempt to say Gryffindor, the Sean/Seamus joke... there was just too much to love about this. I love your Astoria, and everyone really. Nice use of Lisa Turpin in the role of Liz (probably my favorite character)... that worked really well. I hope there is at least someone else out there who knows the movie enough to see how amazing this really is, though I suspect you will get plenty of love even without knowing. My only complaint is that you have cast and written Draco in such a way as to make him irrestible, even to me. *shock and alarm* Hehe. I adore this. Thank you so much for thinking of me and for taking the time to work your brilliance on a movie we mutually love. I'm dropping it right into my favorites. Thanks again! And *hugs*!Hannah Abbott was up to her eyeballs in a business she scarcely knew how to run. Out of money and sleep deprived, all she could do was grind out day after day, but she couldn't last forever that way.
And then Neville walked into her pub and into her life. Things might've started looking up, after all.
Aw, Jess, my birthday just keeps on giving! :D I adored this, and I think it is so cool that you chose Neville/Hannah. Honestly, they have become my second OTP over the last year or so, and I love thinking about how they might have got together.
What a clever idea to have him help save her business--its exactly the kind of thing he would do for someone, especially a friend. I like your characterization of them both: Hannah is so hard working and has sort of lost herself in her exhaustion. ;( And Neville... dear heavens, girl, he is swoon-worthy!! Loved the elf gazing up into his eyes and all the things he said. And the best bit of that first scene was when the knight in shining armor walked out and stumbled over the furniture. How delightfully Neville! "The sheer amount of worry in his voice as he said her name was her undoing." ... and mine as well, I assure you. :) Thanks so much for this, Jess. I knew it already, but you've reinforced the fact that you write canon very well.I've actually been sitting on this fic for a while. I had the first 800 or so words done but no chance to finish it. But then in lurking every introduction thread known to man that you've ever posted and some stalkery assistance from our f-list, I found that you liked Neville/Hannah. It made me overjoyed, I will admit. I really wanted to finish this story, and gifting it to you was the perfect push I needed.
I will admit it freely -- I have been where Hannah was in the beginning of the story. I remember a number of nights of sitting on the floor in my restaurant and wishing the place would burn down so I could go home. I wanted someone to rescue me. Had BAMF Neville been my saviour, I would've died in ecstasy, lol.
Anywho, happy *very* belated birthday, and I'm glad I could extend the fun for you. :)
~Jess
Just a fun little one-shot, dedicated to Lori (WeasleyMom), the Queen of all things Romione.
Bookworm! I read this again today and was completely befuddled that I had not yet reviewed it when I distinctly remember doing so. ??? Then I tracked down your live journal post, and realized THAT was where I left my comments. Hehe. I really am getting old!
I just thought this was so much fun. :) As I mentioned before, I always imagine that both Ron and Hermione suffered from nightmares after the events of DH, and that Harry (for anyone who cares) was finally relieved of them. So I liked that it was a nightmare that woke her, and that Ron knew the details of it without even asking her. "Pulling her close, Ron rested his chin on her head and, resisting the temptation to point out the similarities between her dream and what had once been his reality, he stared at their daughter’s tiny form." This was my favorite part, and great minds really do think alike because I have almost used this exact scenario before... hehe. But truly, it's the kind of thing she would dream about, and when she tells him, he would certainly think about how that was what he really did have to endure. *sigh* I love them so much. ;) I do think family would have been the reason Ron left the auror dept, though I also imagine that at some point, he would feel he had done enough there or gotten it out of his system or whatever... and not wanted to spend the rest of his life fighting. I agree with the other reviewer who pointed out how important family is to Ron. Being around for them would have been a powerful motivator. Anyway, as you can see, I did enjoy this so much. You were such a sweetie to take the time to write it for me, and I'm glad you have been rewarded with lots of reviews. Sorry mine was so late in coming. Thanks again!I'm glad you liked your birthday present enough to read it (and review it) twice! XD I didn't know you'd used almost the same scenario -- which of your stories is it in? *wants to read it*
Thank you for your lovely review, and for being a lovely person! It was a pleasure to write this for you.
Hi, me again. :) I didn't mean that I have actually used it, but that I *almost* have, in that I have imagined the same scenario. Sorry for the confusion.
I'm popping this fic into my favorites now! Thanks!
Author's Response: Hey again! =D
Oh, ok. Glad I didn't copy you in your birthday fic. That would've been a bad scene, lol. And, awww, you're favorite-ing it? That just makes my day. =)
Hello there. :) I said I would watch for this, and here it is. Congratulations on your first fic. I see in your response to the other review that you also write your chapters out of order. I suffer from the same malady... hehe.
I am not a Draco fan, but I think this is a good start. My favorite thing about it is the description of the Dark Mark actually being burned onto his skin, and how his future became clearer as the lines of the mark did. That whole bit of description was very haunting and sad, which I think is what you were going for. It's a very creepy scene, and you wrote that well. My only hesitation is that I think Draco would have been more scared/nervous during this ceremony, especially with his parents not present (or were they?). But that is not canon--it is only my guess, and I am the last person on earth to trust when it comes to Draco's characterization. LOL. So well done, and yay for getting your first fic up. I will look for more chapters when you have them. But you must warn me if this is going to turn into Dramione... I would not be able to take it. LOL. Take care, LoriOh, Carole. This is so moving. And exactly how I view them trying to carry on with life. Beautiful.
Author's Response: I can't remember why I wrote this. I think it must have been a challenge. Anyway, the thought process is basically because although they're a strong family, I can't imagine Molly and Arthur ever getting over Fred's death. And I'm all sad now :( ~Carole~
Natalie, I almost never review poetry because I just do not know enough to have any credibility at all. But I do know something beautiful when I read it, and I do know when something moves me.
I really loved this. Just haunting and gorgeous and so, so sad. Nice writing.The funeral of Andromeda Tonks was a strange affair, thought Lily Potter. It was hard to understand how so many people could send her off into the next life yet seem to mourn her so little. Or maybe it was just a stark reminder of what it truly meant to die.
But someone understood how she really felt, if only just a little.
This fic is a sort of sequel to one of my other stories, All the Time in the World. It's not necessary to read it, but allusions to events do occur.
And how about a Happy Birthday to Olivia/Apollonious! :D
This is very good, Jess. I like how you have characterized everyone, particularly the Potters as a family (though you know I like to imagine Harry and Ginny a bit happier than they are here). Still though, I liked Lily's observations of her brothers and her parents... they felt like an average family, but close enough that all the behavior/thoughts she guesses at them having feel accurate to me as a reader.
Poor Teddy. The first mention of his death made me suck in my breath. Just so sad that he died so young. Is that in the other fic? I should read it as well. I enjoyed reading this very much. And a happy belated birthday to Miss Olivia as well!Sigh... poor Teddy. I didn't want to kill him, but it's something that sprang into my head during VoJP and just stuck in my brain. I even tried inserting him into the story, but it wouldn't go. So, therefore, I ended up writing All the Time in the World (one-shot) to direct questions about the matter. It was super heartbreaking to write, but it felt like it had to be done. Consequently, it was actually the part that I had pegged as where Harry and Ginny started to have marital problems.
This originally started out as a more sombre Scolily, but through it all, the dynamics sort of shifted to the mutual understanding route. I think it works better that way, but it *could* be the start of something more.
Thank you for stopping in, Lori. Good luck with the ill offspring!
~Jess
Wow. This is the most disturbing fic I have ever read. That said, I think your writing is so, so good. You have a very straightforward style, with shorter sentences, and I found it so effective.
The characterization of everyone in this is so well done. Is she an canon character? Or totally OC? Either way, she functions as an OC and you have drawn her so well. There is enough emotional upheaval in this to keep Oprah busy for weeks and weeks, haha. Brilliant writing.Hey Natalie! So I was nosing around and realized I'd somehow missed the last two chapters of this! WHAT?
Your portrayal of all the characters has just been so good, but especially Draco. He's believable as his old self, and yet, the redemption you've written for him has been so well done that I am buying into that as well. I especially loved the second-to-last chapter, where he just tells her (so refreshing). That seems to never happen in fanfiction (or original fiction either, for that matter). It's always a ton of game-playing, and it just fit for Draco to not go that route. He's got way bigger things in his past to be ashamed of to worry about her knowing the truth, even when he thinks she has a boyfriend. Really good insight there, I thought. Anyway, I just enjoyed the ride so much with this fic. Well done, and congratulations again on the QSQ win. :) ~ LoriOoohh.... you know how much I loved that drabble about the bit in the garden. I like the idea that they had been forced to marry and both refused, only to fall for each other of their own accord. Well, as much as anyone controls who they fall for. ;)
You've written Draco very well. I like him like this, guilty as ever and suffering for it, but prone to redemption if it should come his way. This is a silly little thing, but thank you for letting the plump girl be attractive. I almost never read that sort of thing, and it was quite refreshing. Is she canon? Or an OC of yours? I like her, and the idea that Draco suddenly has need of Crabbe's friendship and is even jealous of him in this regard. I will be following this one, dear. And not just because it has my name on it. Well done. And thanks!! I love it!Natalie. :) I was behind on this, and just now caught up by reading the last three chapters. I like it so much I'm a little embarrassed to admit it, as it is Draco-centered. Hehe. J/K. I can't do quotes since I can't remember which chapter the lines were in, but I absolutely love the style of your writing with this fic. It's by no means funny, and yet once in a while, you throw in a line with such delicious snark that it makes me smile.
Can't wait to see what happens next. I've hardly read all of your fics, but I think that writing-wise, you seem to be at the top of your game with this one. Bring on the next chapter, dear.Ooh... but I don't trust Katherine Kelly at all! What are you up to, writer?
I so fangirl your mad plotting skills, Gina. Love what you are doing with this, and the involvement of all these bad guys coming to the front. Oh, and I have a message for you. James and Lily said to tell you they will be fine hanging out in the Gryff Common Room for a bit while you work on getting Ron and Hermione straightened out and reunited. They are very patient people, you know... the future Potters. :) So there you go. Get wrting, dear. Love this!!LOL ~ you better update soon, dear, lest you be endlessly pestered by crazed Romione friends on aim. ;)
I was so happy to see this updated. Please send more soon.What? Posted for over 24 hours and no reviews yet? I actually snuck away from my family gathering the other night to see what was going on around here and squealed with delight when I saw this had been updated. I even typed out a very thoughtful review, only to screw something up and discover it had not posted. GRR!
I am still loving this, Gina! And oh, how the plot thickens! I didn't see Hermione's abduction coming at all, and my skin was crawling at the mention of grey eyes--oh dear. And what of the backstory you keep hinting about? Has he kidnapped her before? You have me intrigued now, and regarding more than the R/Hr ship. I know the Australian details have been bogging you down, but really, your research adds so much to the credibility and believability of this story. It just takes your writing up a notch, and helps me visualize everything as it is happening. It adds authenticity. I will admit I paused a moment at her thoughts when she said she couldn't put people in danger simply because she couldn't say no to a pretty ring. You had already said she loved Ron, and the next paragraph detailed that beautifully, but it was hard for me to think of the ring being the thing about the proposal that was so difficult to resist. Does that make sense? It's no big deal though... just my opinion. ;) I'm loving this. Did I already mention its my favorite chaptered R/Hr of all time? Yes? Oh. :D Well, it still is. Bring on chapter five!Aw, sniff. :( I'm so bummed this is over, but a lovely ending it was. I like that Harry was as involved in things as he was, that is a lot how I imagine these relationships, especially if Ginny isn't around for some reason.
Even though you didn't plan it that way originally, I like the idea of them staying for a couple of months in Australia before returning to England. They were both willing to live in the other country, but I agree that they belong in England. This was the perfect ending for this fic... love the spontaneous proposal! Well done, Gina!She's BAD!!!!! How did she know Hermione was Muggle-born??? Oh, dear, this is so good, Gina! This was my favorite chapter, and you did wonderfully with Ron. Thanks so much for letting him notice her slip even if he doesn't realize it fully yet. And yay for him not wanting to go home and wanting to figure things out for himself at this point, and for Harry not being involved at this point. I adore Harry, but I hate that Ron is so often portrayed as not being capable of wiping his own rear end without some BFF consult from Harry. Rubbish!
Hermione DID have tears in her eyes, didn't she? Of course she did. And what of the note? I have so many questions, but I don't care because I love Ron so much I simply can't stand it. And when I find him so true to his canon self in fanfic, I get positively giddy. SO much love for this, Gina! Please don't make me wait long for the next chapter. YAY Romione! (Sorry for the incoherent, rambly review. All of that to say, Well done! I love it!) ~ LoriSo glad to see this fic is back in action! I really enjoyed Harry showing up and seeing him and Ron working together, and Hermione, too. I liked that Harry knew Hermione would not come out until he'd proved it was really him... nice. And also that Ron didn't care for him busting up his rescue--haha.
I did pause that Ron was thinking how Hermione not crying/being strong was one of the things he loved about her, because--while she is incredibly strong under pressure--she is also kind of a big crier in canon. Not that I think she should have here, because that all felt right. Just interesting that he mentions it as a character trait. Can't wait for the conclusion, dear. :) Well done!