Name: LifeofDracoandGinny reviewed
Chapter 4 on Nov 30, 2013 09:35 am
asdfghjkl I think you read my mind with this one. I've thought the EXACT SAME THING about like all of these pairings at some point. It really is kind of inevitable that Draco and Ginny be together. Someone shuld email JK
Author's Response: I know what you mean... and I'm really glad you're finding things to relate to in this essay. More soon!
Name: Grizel reviewed
Chapter 4 on Nov 28, 2013 06:39 am
I read quite a bit of Dramione. When authors are taking the ship seriously (and they often do), they take qualities represented by Hermione and use Draco as a lens to ask questions. In cannon, Hermione is heavily associated with intelligence, time, and memory. Dramione authors use these qualities to ask questions such as:
1) What role does intelligence play in love?
2) How does where we are in time impact who we are? If we could go to a different time, how would that change how we feel and what we are capable of?
3) If we could change or even erase our memories, would that set us free or are we bound to the past?
Dramione is about who we are and how we can change, because a lot has to change for Dramione to be convincing.
If we let Ginny’s character drive D/G, we would have to use a little more creativity, because Ginny isn’t nearly as well defined in cannon. However, she was associated with family, physicality (especially sexuality), emotion (especially emotional recovery) and honesty. All of those qualities would be great to examine, using Draco as a lens.
Used thoughtfully, each ship poses its own set of questions for thoughtful fan fic writers to ask and answer.
Author's Response: I totally agree that Dramione can be very well done. I've read some great fics. I would really like to see more fics that explore Ginny's intelligence... it's something that I don't think was ever done enough (she was Hermione's best friend and studied at her side, after all!;) BUT.. there is another reason why I associate Draco with Ginny, and it's coming up in the next chapter. It's something that for me, has always been central to this ship, and has a lot to do with how I became fascinated with it in the first place... and why I finally came back to it. This quality, for me, is everything-- and I don't think that there are any other two characters who share it, Draco and Hermione included. What is it? Well, that's coming up in the next chapter, isn't it... ;) Thank you so much for your thoughtful reviews!! :)
Name: eaudetoilettex reviewed
Chapter 4 on Nov 25, 2013 07:58 am
Hello there :)
I’ve been a D/G fan since 2011, and during all that time, I’ve read lots of stories but something that captured my attention was the lack of manifestos.
I’m really grateful for this one, because even though the HP saga is finished, a few of us have the same idea about that many things were left developed like Ginny’s character, which is I really would loved to see and I don’t understand why many people dislike her and also with Draco, because people tend to portray him as an evil and bully character without thinking that he had hard times and no one to look for him... :-(
I also enjoyed your theories and the parallels between Snape/Lily/James and Draco/Ginny/Harry and I think all you’ve said might be true because it’s so logical! :)
What is great also is what you’ve written about the others pairings (probably more famous than d/g) and here’s something important about pairings respect, because some ships tend to be quite agressive (*cough cough Dr/H *) and a nice example is that on twitter,that I’ve seen many tweets bashing the D/G pairing but oh well....
I have loved and enjoyed reading every bit of this and I’d love to read more, and as you said D/G is a iconic pairing and that’s why we need more stories to be written :)
And a last thing, I hope soon this site allows Spanish stories (I’ve read this some time ago) because there’s a community of the pairing in Spanish and since this is my native language, there’s lots of good written stories of them. :) Have a nice day!!!
Author's Response: Thanks! :) I know what you mean about the manifesto/overview/"why to ship D/G" thing... there were some back in about 2006-7-8, and then I didn't see any more after that. Now, about D/Hr or D/H... I am trying not to ship bash. ;) It's basically just that I can't see those pairing justified by canon at all, especially not D/Hr. So in a way, it bothers me as a writer to even see those linked it to original canon in the first place. Why not just write three completely original characters?? Anyway. There will be more of this essay!
If HP is really FINISHED... well, nobody knows, but let's just say that's in Chapter 6. ;)
I talked to Lyndsie, and the thing is that we can't add different categories because of the way that efiction hasn't been updated in so long. But I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see fics in Spanish here, and for lots of people to post them on FIA. So here's what I would do. If Spanish fics are posted here, I will do EVERYTHING to spread the word about them (all the social media sites we're on, posts here, posts on the WP blog.) And maybe you can too. And I WILL review every chapter of every one. If I have to use Babelfish, I will! :)
Name: SomethingsWicked reviewed
Chapter 4 on Nov 23, 2013 07:00 pm
First off, I appreciate that you chose to quote me, it's always an honor when well known fanfic authors mention you, let alone throw a piece of you in their work, so thank you. :)
Second, I have always wondered why I've been drawn to the Snape/Lily pairing so much and the parallels you drew between them and D/G just helped make that click. It almost sets itself up that if Snape and Lily didn't work, and Draco and Ginny didn't work, maybe this next generation will fulfill that relationship hole.
The main reason I always think as to why D/G is more plausible than D/Hr (even though that seems to be more popular) is the simple fact that if you strip everything away, even though Draco was never "evil", he was still brought up a certain way and I don't think he could ever get past the idea of pureblood/muggleborn. It would be a non negotiable for him because it's at the foundation of who he is. The simple fact that Ginny meets that, I think, would allow not only him but also his remaining family to eventually come to terms with it because they wouldn't be sullying their bloodline.
Just on a fun note, I think it's safe to say a lot of D/G shippers go for Blaise and Luna (which I do too), but I also really enjoy Harry/Pansy. Not entirely sure why, but it always ends up being an interesting plot when they are together. Sometimes I even like Lily with Tom Riddle haha!
Can't wait to read about Harry's failures in the next chapter. :)
Author's Response: Thanks! :) Well, you were very quotable.
I know what you mean about Snape/Lily. I also thought of a couple of other ships after writing that chapter (I think I'll have to add them as notes in the next one), and one that I've always liked is Snape/Narcissa. I do think there are hints in canon, and I've written a couple of fics where Lily and Narcissa were the TWO great loves of Snape's life. (And they're two flowers!!! It just dawned on me. Hmmm....) In that case, Draco and Ginny would be linked in two ways-- Snape loved Lily(Ginny), and he also loved Narcissa (connected to Draco.) And then there's Ron/Luna, and-- okay, NEXT chapter.
I also agree about Hermione's background being something that Draco just couldn't get past in a romantic sense. Not only that, but Hermione can be remarkably narrow-minded about people, as pitzi pointed out below. It's not just that his family wouldn't accept her, but neither one of them would accept the other. And a ship like that doesn't really work, IMHO.
Now, not everyone knows this, but the *recent* popularity of D/Hr basically began with the undying efforts of one person (Bunney.) The main Dramione site wasn't even started until after FILM canon was closed. She did/does the basic work, and everyone else has had their interest revived/sustained/whatever by that,and it's grown and grown. I totally admire everything she's done (I just really don't like D/Hr! ;) And it does show that any section of the fandom can pick up again from a slowdown. We are on our way! :)
More about failure!Harry soon... ;)
Name: pitzi reviewed
Chapter 4 on Nov 23, 2013 11:48 am
Anise, that was absolutely in place! I found myself nodding in agreement almost after every word!
I never really understood D/Hr. I've read a couple of stories but Hermione was just another Ginny in them (another point for D/G). I don't see how this pairing could work - Hermione is very competitive and would always try to prove that she is smarter. This wouldn't go well with Draco. Also she can be very narrow minded (re her attitude towards Luna) and she is very set in her believes. She would constantly criticize Draco's lifestyle and his society circles, etc. And there's the fact that she is muggleborn and there are things about magical community (which is very traditional) that she just can't understand or accept. And no matter how far Draco deviates from his family path (beliefs wise) I still can't see him having a significant relationship with a muggleborn.
Ginny is a pureblood, so she can at least understand Draco's family/society obligations even if she doesn't like them. Also she has a big heart and can be very accepting. Not mentioning the fact that she can help him heal and I know it's a horrible cliche but yes, a cold person needs someone warm and caring who is more open with expressing their emotions. And Draco is the only one in cannon who could understand what Ginny went through with the diary and accept the darkness that still remains in her. And Draco can be the logical one to Ginny's impulsiveness and recklessness.
I could go on about those things for hours, but I just wanted to add to all your reasons for why D/G is an iconic pairing is that they can balance each other like no other and this is a good basis for a real relationship. And the fact that there are several different ways that this relationship could go makes it even more interesting and exciting.
I totally agree with what you said about other pairings and I think H/Hr is amuch more believable or even H/Luna. I also like Ron with Pansy. As for Draco/Pansy - I see them as good friends too. And yes, Hermione needs someone more easy going like George.
Looking forward to what's next!!
Author's Response: Thanks!! :) You make so many good points... some I didn't even really think of, which is why a COMMUNITY of D/G shippers is such a good thing. I agree that D/Hr never really works as it is... one or both of their characters need to be changed so much for this to happen that you might as well substitute anyone else. I think that Draco and Hermione *might* become friends after they've both had a chance to mellow, which would work well if Hermione is Ginny's friend in the future. But there's too much friction between who they are as people, and it's the kind that is so basic that it wouldn't work even as a love/hate relationship. John Fowles has written some great material about the difference between what you CAN do as a writer and what you SHOULD do, and it's very applicable to the two ships.
Anyway... more soon! :)