Oh wow. Wonderful. I am so glad that you addressed Draco's hair, but, mostly, I am extremely pleased with how Ginny and Harry's separation came about. It's very rare that I read a story that could have in everyday life. People do change and sometimes there just isn't a remedy. Really well thought out and great characterizations! I cannot wait for the next installment ;)
Author's Response: Draco's hair woes were at the top of my "To Fix" list. ;) I'm so glad this fic rings true for you- it's a new challenge for me to just write a story based on an emotional journey, rather than how outside events affect the characters.
Love it. Can't wait for more.
Author's Response: Glad you're enjoying it so far!
I'm so glad to see a continuing saga to that VERY disappointing epilogue in DH. I felt like throwing out the book. It's so true that people do grow apart as they get older. I look forward to your next chapter.
Author's Response: Nah- we're D/G fans! We can fix anything JKR throws at us. :) And look at it this way- at least we don't have to bring one of them back from the dead or anything.
What a lovely beginning! I was hoping someone would come up with something DH compliant that I could actually buy...can't wait to see where this goes. Please update soon.
Author's Response: Thank you! The second I finished DH I began plotting a story that would adhere to everything JKR gave us.
I like this a lot. After reading the epilouge in Harry Potter, this is a great H/G reliever. Can't wait for the next chapter; please update soon! Thanks!
Author's Response: Thanks! Don't worry, JKR's "Nineteen Years Later" crap doesn't stand a chance against us D/Gers. Next chapter should go up Sunday or Monday.
What are they, 36 and 37? 20 years later right? Well... I was married at 17 for 16 years and ended not so amicably with 4 children. Now I am happily married to an old not so good friend at the time, and can tell you that there is a distinct difference being married to someone who understands that you have wants and desires in life other than sitting at home and raising children waiting for an occasional loving word or embrace. I spoke so much babytalk and rationing to his friends they were scared to come around anymore! My husband now sees me for the woman I am and I have a wonderful relationship, and I am not OLD... so don't have Dra saying at "this age" because 37 is not old at all! Luv your storys' beginning by the way!
Author's Response: I'm really honored you shared your story with me here, so thank you. I want this fic to show that life doesn't end when a relationship does, and that sometimes we're better off for letting go and moving on.
As for Draco saying "at this age", well- he's a droll guy. :) I certainly wouldn't call anyone in their thirties old.
I hope you update it soon. I'm in love with the idea.
(Curiously enough, "The simplest answer is that I'm just not happy; I haven't been for a long time" is my favorite reason to break up H/G, and I'm using that one too)
Author's Response: William of Occam was one smart cookie. :) I didn't think I needed a wild premise to go post-DH; good, old fashioned marital woes works nicely.
I'm really glad you like it!
I really love the way you wrote Harry. Not horrible--he did try, but it wasn't working out and I can see how Ginny would have thought it was boring. Great story.
Author's Response: Like I said, I don't hate Harry. I'd much rather explore a relationship that fades, not due to adultery or abuse, but from plain old complacency. Sometimes, we grow up and grow apart, like Ginny and Harry here.
Intresting take on the DH aftermath. I like it and can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Thank you! I'm working on the next installment right now.
they may not be but defintely, worth reading about how you get your life back. I love it. It is nice to see that Draco and Ginny have already gotten comfortable with one another. I am sure that I cannot wait til their next meeting. I want to know how they will be focusing on one another and hopefully answer the quetion on what it is they are missing from their lives.
Author's Response: I think to do a story about failed marriages, responsibilites and children justice, I've really got to explore the journey from them being strangers to becoming intimate. It's not just a quick hop into the sack and instant twu wuv. I'm really happy you like this story so much. Thanks!
ooo... I love it... and not just because there's D/G in it haha... can't wait to find out more about Draco & Scorpius.. very interesting name there. there's gonna be more right? *hopeful look*
Author's Response: There's more... much more, I think. At least six chapters, maybe as many as ten. We'll see. I'm finding that Scorpius is brilliant to write, as he's a virtual blank slate!
I love that you are staying within canon and still carrying off a believable D/G fic! I love stories that work around canon.
I can also completely understand what has happened with Harry and Ginny. Happened with my parents. So I am looking forward to reading more!
And thank you for stating that you will deal with the hair issue. I think that caused me more grief than anything else....
Author's Response: I WILL fix that awful offhand comment about Draco's hair if it's the last thing I do. *grumbles at how spiteful JKR was in that epilogue*
I really wanted to have a stab at complete canon compliance with DH, and I'm really glad it's gotten such an unbelievable response. Thank you!
Sad stories like yours (and mine) happen a lot, and I feel like it's something many readers can relate to.
That was really,really well-written. I love that its written in first person. I cant wait for the next one!
Wonderful!
Author's Response: Thanks so much! I'm not usually a first person narrative fan, but this story works much better in this format than in third person limited. More should be up soon; I'm working on it now!
I totally agree with you about Harry's cannon character he's so arrogant, and egotistical, I also agree about the epilogue I almost wish I hadn't even read it cause it pretty much ruined the end for me.
Author's Response: *hugs WhiffleBird* That's why we've got fanfic and FIA! JKR can't keep us down with that epilogue. There's lots of superiorly-talented writers in our fandom that can make us forget all about canon.
Yes, Harry can be a git in canon... that's why he's about to lose Ginny to Draco! *smirks*
Interesting beginning. How sad. *goes off to give my husband of 7 years a good snog*
Author's Response: *pats Jess* It's only a fic, sweetie! I love my hubby too, but I've known way too many people in relationships just like the one I've created for Ginny and Harry.
On the bright side, there'll be canonical, (thanks, Perse!) non-adulterous D/G! *dangles carrot in front of you*
This is off to such a great start. I'm sooo glad you're writing it!
I think you have a really good grasp of the characters and their emotions. Also, I totally agree with you about Ginny in that ivory tower. It really got to me that Harry was all for locking her up in the room of req during the final battle.
Can't wait to read the rest. Good job!
Author's Response: Well, I don't have a problem with Harry being flawed, and given his family history, I can even see why he behaves towards Ginny the way he does in the books. What I can't see is how Ginny would be okay with that after a few months, let alone nineteen years.
Regardless, I really wanted to see if I could write a believable D/G romance that follows everything JKR gave us in canon. I'm glad it's working so far. Thanks for the review!
Thank you soooo much for writing this! I've been waiting for a post-DH fic like this. Yay. ^.^
The image of Draco gardening is extremely amusing, yet it somehow fits in perfectly with the story thus far.
I've always thought that Harry is too self-absorbed to really please Ginny. I'm glad that she's going to finally realize it. I do feel sorry for the kids, though- I can only imagine how tense things will be at home when the return from Hogwarts.
Awesome start, and I can't wait to read more! ^.^
Author's Response: Happy to oblige! I like Gardener!Draco, too- I thought it was a semi-original hobby for him in fic, and the symbolism isn't bad either. I'm thrilled you like it so far.
Re: The children
My parents' divorce was acrimonious at best, and I was a young teen at that time, so I feel like I've got a good grip how I want to write their emotions.
Guh. Poor Ginny. (I do applaud her for not snorting at Draco's son's name, however.)
You've managed to create a completely canonical (Is that a word?) and believable start. Congratulations, and I look forward to reading more!
Author's Response: Not a 'Scorpius' fan, eh? I'll see what I can do about a nickname in the fic for you, then. :D
I wanted my first post-DH effort to follow canon as closely as possible so I can get it out of my system. After that, I'll adjourn to the 'Future AU' category safe in the knowledge that I could deal with JKR's... epilogue *cough*Hah!NowNoOneCanWriteAroundMyCanon!bit*cough*
This really struck a chord with me. I'm at the age when a lot of our friends are divorcing or getting married for the second time. I like where you're going with this. I'm hoping it wasn't a one shot. I can't remember. I'd like there to be more.
Author's Response: I know how you feel, CCC- we're probably near the same age. Some days, it feels like I'm the last happily married person I know, and other days, I wonder why that darn grass is always greener on the other side.
It's not a one-shot, so you get your wish! I'm not sure how many chapters it'll take to get to the finish, but expect at least six. :)
I greatly appreciate your very lovely undoing of that horrible epilogue. We all know that Ginny is meant to be with Draco, it just takes her a while to figure it out. I can't wait to see how things evolve. I foresee Harry being a moderate problem here only because he's only interested in his creature comforts. I already love where this is going - meeting at a garden club meeting *snerks* Definitely original and some how perfect.
Author's Response: *smooches the much-better epilogue Pud made to assuage the D/G grief* Every one of us is pounding the keyboard to fix that... thing tacked on the end of DH. [/disgust for the EoD]
Thanks for the wonderful compliments, and I'm glad it's moderately original! Can you tell I was weeding the garden as I plotted this fic? ;)
WOW yay that was amazing i can't wait for the rest of it!!
Author's Response: Well, depending on Adelagia, the next chapter may get written faster than I expected (I bribed her for more of the fabulous 'Conflict Resolution')!
This is a fascinating look at how relationships can evolve. (And, yes, I understand exactly how it happens.) I'm looking forward to finding out how Ginny and Harry deal with each other, and of course, how Ginny and Draco end up gravitating toward each other.
Author's Response: I thought you'd get it, you smart lady, you. :)
Despite my displeasure with DH, I'm trying very hard to make canon work in a mature manner.
Love it. As much as I detest the Epilogue, I'm glad you're taking it on head-first and making everything right! I can't wait to see how everything plays out.
Author's Response: *cracks knuckles* She thought that epilogue would stop us from putting Draco and Ginny together? Hah! JKR, meet my twisted mind's self-preservation response. Denial, meet JKR. Glad to acquaint you. XD
Glad you're liking it so far!
you have me hooked, can't wait for more
Author's Response: Lovely! I'll set to work on the second chapter tonight, then.
Gaah, I cannot stand the mention of a boy names Scorpius. What was JKR thinking?! Maybe he could go by a made up middle name, haha.
D/G will live on forever! Despite JKR's obvious attempts to squelch true love...
Author's Response: I don't love the name 'Scorpius', but I don't claw at my eyes at it either. Doesn't really bother me either way. I seem to be waving a number of things in JKR's direction in my hatred for the epilogue, but we'll muddle through! :)