Claiming my Erised fic!

[firethesound]

So, this one was mine...

Title: The Light More Beautiful
Recipient: lumosed_quill
Rating: NC-17
Word Count: 81k
Warnings: dub-con, mild violence, creature!fic, knotting
Content/Enticements: blowjobs, handjobs, rimming, facials, switching, Auror!fic, clubbing, Quidditch, bad acronyms, bad jokes, ridiculous drinking games, and one exceedingly grumpy owl.
Summary: Thirteen years after Draco accepts Potter's help escaping the horror of his sixth year, he returns to England where he makes the unfortunate discovery that Potter is still as obnoxious as ever. And worse, more than a decade overseas hasn't been enough to dim Draco's obsession with him.
Author's Notes: To those who held my hand as I wrote and offered me endless cheerleading and and insight and reassurance, know that I couldn't have done this without you beside me every step of the way. Each of you is invaluable to me. The sentence Lumosed_Quill gave to describe Harry and Draco was "The light is always more beautiful when it shines through the darkness." And so this is a story told in two parts: first the darkness, and then the light that shines through.
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.




I was beyond thrilled to get my assignment. Absolutely over the moon about it. I adore LQ and had just had a wonderfully in-depth conversation with her about her likes and dislikes because we'd planned to exchange birthday fics, and just, there was much excitement. I was ON THIS assignment. I was visiting a friend when assignments came out, and I brainstormed all 6 hours of the drive back home, and when I got into my house, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I managed to include everything on her sign-up list, plus a few more I thought she'd like, and I was sort of surprised how quick it all came together. Once I worked out how to get 'Auror partners', 'one of them an Auror and one not', and 'both of them teachers' to play nice, the rest of it just sort of fell into place.

So, the first part of the story was originally meant to be for her birthday. I'd written most of it, and when I got my assignment I promptly went "oh crap. this thing I've already started fits what I want to do there much better!" I ended up keeping almost none of it, except a little of the beginning and some of the smut, and ended up having a blast rewriting the rest. I had so much fun poking at canon events and tweaking them differently, and looking at the whole mess of 6th year through Draco's eyes. Loved it. It was both my first time writing Pansy and my first time writing Myrtle, and I rather like how both of them turned out.

The second part was where it started to get a little bit stressful. Part one came out right on target for wordcount, but part two started to run long. Way long. My outline told me I should have the whole thing, parts one and two, done in 35k. (LOL) By the end of it I actually had about another 40-50k worth of plot and scenes I'd sketched out that I ended up cutting just to keep it under 100k and also to get it turned in vaguely on time. (Only took one extension, yay!) I'd have liked to do more with Draco's devices, and give the relationship a little more build-up, and make the case a bigger part of the plot, to expand a little bit more about what they'd both done during the years before Draco returned. But the more distance I get from it, the more I think I'm glad I didn't have time to do all of that. I feel like it works well with the length it's at now.

I had so much fun writing it, I think because I knew LQ and had a good grasp of what she would probably like, and felt comfortable being as silly as I felt like (since bread-cat didn't scare her off) and so ended up with what is easily one of my favorite stories I've written yet. And I'm still so, so glad that she likes it as well as I'd hoped she would.




catplusfox, for her incredible beta-work (as always), for the handholding and listening as I flailed, and for continuing to be so wonderful and supportive. I don't deserve you. <3
capitu, for reading and reassuring me I'd done something LQ would like, for the typo-catching and for your patience with me. You're a saint.
eidheann_writes, for the capslocky emails of motivation. Especially towards the end, a YOU'D BETTER BE WRITING popping up in my inbox really made me stay on track and helped me keep my tendency to procrastinate under control
dicta_contrion, for listening to me ramble my way through my idea for the plot. It was the first time I'd tried to put it into words so it came out a little disjointed, but you were so enthusiastic about it anyhow. And thanks for laughing in all the right places.
sophie_french, for your steady and unshakable faith in me. When I was complaining, "I feel like I'm going to be writing this story for the rest of my life!" all you said was "You're going to finish and it's going to be fantastic."
birdsofshore, for helping me sort out what the heck you call all the things in bathrooms, for all the messages and for graciously putting up with me being a bother. (And for never making me feel like I was.)

And of course to lumosed_quill, for being such a pleasure to write for. This story is what it is, because it was for you. <3

Comments

[lq-traintracks.livejournal.com]

Okay, you made me cry AGAIN with this! LOL!!! Fucking STOP THAT.

I can't express how touched I was by this story and what it meant to me. I really can't.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. <3

[firethesound]

I'm sorry I didn't mean to! It just keeps happening! ::flailflail::

I mean it, though. You're lovely and I feel like I should be thanking you for giving me a reason to make this story happen. <3

[sophie-french.livejournal.com]

♥ ♥ ♥

[firethesound]

<3 <3 <3

[birdsofshore]

You never were a bother! I wish I could have helped more, dear. You are wonderful and this is amazing <3

[firethesound]

You did plenty and I really really appreciate it. <3

::squishes you::

[this-bloody-cat.livejournal.com]

It's a fantastic story, love. One of my favourites ever, and I've read quite a few over the past decade -- but this was absolutely brilliant, and so beautifully written I simply couldn't put it down ♥

[firethesound]

Ah, thank you so much!! I don't think I can thank you enough for your lovely comments, either. I read them over and over while it was still anon and it made me smile so much every time. <3

[nathalieweasley.livejournal.com]

Such an amazing story. And it's so lovely to see how much love you poured in. It really showed. ♥

[firethesound]

Oh gosh, thank you so much! That you can tell how much love I put into it is such a compliment, thank you!! <3

[gracerene]

Such a wonderful fic! And I definitely think it was the perfect length. <3

[firethesound]

Aw, I'm glad you think so! Thank you. :D

[capitu]

It was wholly my honour and pleasure to read your story. I just want everybody to know how SHOCKED I was at the werewolf thing, people!!!! I first read the story and it came to me with no header and no warnings and I got to that part I was went OH MY GOD!!!!!

Had the best time ~helping. I'm thrilled to know I indeed helped. ♥

[firethesound]

LOL, you and the werewolf thing! XD I'd sort of wanted it to be the plot twist it was for you, but you know, headers. Warnings. Blah. So I'm glad I caught someone with it! :D

You're lovely. <3

[leo-draconis.livejournal.com]

This fic was so lovely! One of my favorites from the fest. :)

[firethesound]

Oh wow, thank you so, so much! I'm incredibly flattered you like it! :D

[blithelybonny.livejournal.com]

al;ksdfj;lksdj THIS.

[firethesound]

Youuuu! <3

[dicta-contrion.livejournal.com]

You make laughing in all the right places so very easy, my dear. Any time you want to do some coffee + plotting time, say the word. I'm all for hearing you ramble through brilliant plots! And still absolutely loving the final result.

[firethesound]

YES coffee + plotting time. We need to plan something. Probably when you're less busy, though. But yes. Needs to happen. :D :D :D

[dicta-contrion.livejournal.com]

Yay!!!!! I've been thinking this in my "when this is all over" fantasies. February is so much better than January. I have all these calendar reminders for fandom things I'm going to do when this is over...making another one for nefarious plotting planning!

[firethesound]

Excited for this "planning" you speak of. Perhaps we can brainstorm house-elves? I have very vague ideas of what happens next but not anywhere near enough to start writing it. Input would be welcome. <3

[dicta-contrion.livejournal.com]

YES! All about it. + Perfect excuse to re-read. ♥

[firethesound]

I'm awful at guessing. There's a few people that I can hit reliably but not many. I always feel like I'm so obvious, myself! XD

[sassy-cissa.livejournal.com]

Well you know exactly how much I adored this story and now I can say it aloud. Gods...one of the best I've read in a very long time. Kudos again to you! ♥

[firethesound]

Aw, thank you so much!! :D

[playing-perfect.livejournal.com]

As you may be able to tell my ability to comment etc hasn't improved (probably gone downhill) in the year since I vowed to be better. I'm sorry I didn't comment on your fic when it was anonymous and that I've only commented on here so far when I really should go back to Erised and do it there too.

I didn't guess it was you, though perhaps I should have done as it was one of my very top favourite fics in the fest. I nearly didn't read it because it was a werewolf fic and I am not into werewolf fics at all, but the comments persuaded me to at least try it (thank you commenters for that) and the writing just drew me in right from the start. I adored this, so passionate and beautifully written and everything about it just made me love it, but particularly Draco and Harry and Ron, and retrospectively I'm going duh! at myself because I should have known you from that alone (well that and the excellence of the writing). The humour, the interactions, the passion. I loved it all. And even though Harry was a werewolf I saved it to my Kindle as soon as I read it, which just shows how brilliant you are! Thank you.

[firethesound]

Aw, you! I just. You say all the sweetest things and I don't know what to say! ::flail:: I'm so pleased you enjoyed it and very flattered you'd saved it to your Kindle straightaway. Such a compliment!! :D

[cabinetcaligari.livejournal.com]

I just read this, and yes, that is ridiculously late, but perhaps you'll forgive me when I say it was because I saved this story to read on a quiet afternoon (and that's how many quiet afternoons I have ... :( )

But it was worth the wait, since I think you've yet again managed to pull off a wonderful story. I read it all in one go, and then went over all my favourite bits again, just because I didn't want it to be over. I think you wrote something quite new (creature!fic, an alternate role for Draco in the war), but all the FTS-things I love so, so much about your fic, were present in abundance.

You know how I love your expansions of the magical world, and this fic was no exception. I loved your magical running gags, the owls and Agnes. I think the owls were a brilliant invention, you give them so much character and I was squeaking with glee every time Lucy gave Draco side-eyes. And I was secretly hoping she was named after Lucius, and (of course) you didn't disappoint :D
And OMG, Agnes! I can only imagine how much fun you must've had thinking up all those ridiculous Floo names! I was cracking up every time I read a new invention of Agnes.
Oh, and Pots and Pans? I was alternately sighing (like Ron and Draco) and crying with laughter. So obvious, I read it and thought it was brilliant and was a bit surprised nobody thought of this little gem before.

I also loved the profession you gave Draco. He's so very believable as a lab geek, not getting his hands too dirty (although field works suits him, too). And the glasses were such a wonderful invention, I cannot tell you how much I love the idea of being able to see magic. I used to love chemistry in high school, especially all those experiments where you can make water burn in all those colours with potassium or sodium. The piece about visible magic reminded me a bit of that. I'm always a sucker for sensory descriptions of magic, being it crackling or flowing, or taste, and this visual element you add ... Oh. My. God. I want this in every fic from now on.

And also, you made me rediscover my love for a type-A, Draco, a bit shy, but being so lovely witty when he's on comfortable ground, whether it be his tidy lab, or his tidy office (in All Our Secrets Laid Bare). Your Draco can still be upper-class and snooty, but he's also so very sweet, a bit insecure, and his surroundings so cozy, I want to squeeze him flat and never let go.

[cabinetcaligari.livejournal.com]

And through all the running gags, the magical lore, the inventions, the plot and the smut, you paint a wonderful portrait of Draco. How he makes the choice of leaving the bad side in the war, of developing himself and proving his worth in America, of going back to England and trying to fit in after the war, trying to pick up the old connections and remodel them into something that fits in the current situation, career-wise, friends-wise, and ultimately love-wise, too. How he respects Harry, how he admires him, and also feels sad for him and his loss of function because of his leg. I think it's very believable Harry has some physical damage because of the war, apart from the psychological damage. And how he still manages to find his way, your Harry feels very canon but also more loveable than I find canon!Harry at times. At first I found the leather jacket and the motorcycle really hot, but after Harry tells Draco why he's using these items, I felt all emotional, and happy for Harry. To me, I guess it means Harry's found peace with Sirius' death, and although he misses him, he can handle the loss, doesn't need to avoid stuff reminding him of Sirius, and instead honours his godfather through making good use of some of his dear possessions. Beautiful. And very characteristic for the Harry you're painting, finding some peace within himself and finding a way to enjoy life, without repressing the losses and grief he has experienced.

I also found it fitting you didn't make Harry's limp leg recover some way or another, or removing the werewolf part. Because Draco's such a scientist, I was thinking about it, but I think it's just perfect this way. Not everything is perfect in their lives, but it's good enough, and it's testament to the strength of both of their characters they're finding a way in life.

This was such a wonderful fic, I loved every bit of it. It was cosy, and homely, and filled with all the magical things I love and then some, and your inventions always are the icing on top of the magical-universe-cake. I loved the characters you painted, their gains and losses in life, the way they deal with those, and the development they're both going through in this fic. I guess I really cannot tell you how much I loved it, but I hope this lengthy comment gives a bit of an indication. But actually, instead of commenting, I want to pull you through my screen and hug you and knit you socks and bring you tea and play the Beatles all day long.

<3

[firethesound]

Holy cow. This... You... I hardly know what to do with myself over this. This is such a wonderful comment, I really loved to get to see which bits struck you in particular and which details leapt out for you. Like you, I was shocked that no one had thought of using Pots and Pans before, and I did a lot of googling to find out whether that's the case, and if someone has used it I wasn't able to find it. I'm so flattered that you felt Harry felt canon, and that you liked my type-A Draco. And then the bit about hugging and knitting socks and tea and the Beatles, and and and. You're so lovely. Thank you so, so much. I can't say thank you enough for this! ::squishes you::