Oooh, I love your little introduction at the top. For a second, I thought he was going to say it was all Ginny's fault! Lol!

I really really like this and cannot wait for you to update (tomorrow is so far away). I will properly review the fic when you have fully posted it. I am very excited to see what happens next. ^^

SQUEE! Heheh, this was so adorable. I loved it. It so reminds me of something Kim (Boogum) would write -- not to detract or take away from your wonderful writing. I just really really liked this!!

He smirked at her. “Was it everything you expected, Weaselette?” -- Best line, ever!

You did a great job like this. You should write more one-shots. I demand it. ^_^

Author's Response: *blushes* I don't mind being compared to Boogum/Moogle at all! She's one of my favorite authors, and way back I thought that my style was similar to hers. It's quite a compliment that you thought so too! I may be forced into more one-shots. The long ones are very, very time-consuming to put together, since I tend to do complex plots. Thank you so much!!!!

If it had ended bad, just out of curiosity and from one writer to another, how do you think it would have gone?

Well, Ginny could have just said no and never given him a second chance. She would have been justified, and I would have still been content with the piece. Of course, I would have probably ended it (if I wrote a bad ending for the two) with either Draco dwelling on the consequences of his actions some years down the road or perhaps wrote something to the effect of how star-crossed lovers are never meant to be, or how it wasn't their time, perhaps in their next life. However, I like your ending because I, too, am a romantic at heart. ^^

Author's Response: I can totally see that. And Harry/Ginny fans, or just anyone against D/G, would've been good with that. And hey, if it had been written well, mayeb it wouldn't have been so bad. But, like you said, romantic at heart and bad endings just won't do for me. LLOL! ;D

Mmm, this is a very dark piece. I like how you have Ginny angry that the Order uses non-Dark spells, which are more effective, whereas the Death Eaters can inflict damage with a sort of impunity that she clearly envies. If I were Ginny, I'd be envious and rankled too.

Your imagery is colourful, to juxtapose against the darkness of the plot and actions themselves. Colours are very important here, as is the image of those involved--colours of spells, of bruises, and of bright lights. You also take time to describe the greasy hair, the unkempt appearances, and the numerous white scars. Nothing is grey, nor is it black and white. The colours symbolise, to me, a living, breathing tale. It signifies that this is a story of action. It is war that takes place in the here and now--war that is exploding with colour.

Then you place someone like Fred, who cannot see at all, in the middle of it. We are given an entirely different point of view: war with no sight. I wonder if he will introduce us to the taste, touch, and smells of war. And I also wonder if his lack of sight provides him with another type of sight: insight. Will he provide us with the emotionless facets of war? I can already sense that he is cold. He does not see war the way the others do. This could make him a rather good leader, if he could get over his own self-pity. To me, he’s almost like a Mad-Eye Moony now. Perhaps I am reading way too much into the twins, especially since they are not the focal point of the story. Lol. But, I like how you have Fred, so let’s leave it at that.

Out of the transformations of the Trio, I especially like how you kept Hermione the same. I never saw her as one to break unless one of the others died, particularly Harry. Since Ron is the one who is now broken, it makes sense that Hermione builds herself up to be even stronger, for him. I do hope we see more of Ron, because I am very much intrigued by him.

I shall do my analysis of Ginny and Draco as I read more. I don’t like to assess them from the get-go. I will say that Ginny does seem a little dark--in a good way. Obviously, I already know that Ginny is pregnant with Draco’s child. The question is why. I shall have to read on and find out.

Lovely premise, my dear, and very well-written and thought out. Kudos.

~Lia

"It's you," Astoria glared, dusting her shirt with a look of disgust.

"I'm glad that you've learned basic identification, Astoria. It's nice to see that there's something there under that frizzy mass..."

I actually spit out the cookie I was eating when I read this. Nice. Lol! Well, this is an interesting chapter, and Draco's encounter with Ginny turned out how I had expected. That is also quite the arbitrary law Draco found. It shall be interesting to see if it can be circumvented at any point as it can't possibly be valid in this day and age. :(

Lovely chapter! I am on to the next. ^_^

Author's Response: Hehe, I'm glad that you liked the line since I was trying to create a bit of banter between Astoria and Ginny to show their animosity towards each other. That's really funny (and flattering!) that I made you laugh, though. I'm glad that you liked the chapter though, and that the D/G encounter wasn't random and out of the blue. The law is quite archaic and unfair, as GoldenFawkes pointed out, but it's merely a plot device. I'm sure somehting like that today would cause an outrage. :) Thanks again for reading and reviewing!

Weasley smelled nice. There wasn't even the barest hint of farm animals on her.

LOL! Oh, JT, how you make me laugh. I love your snarky Draco in this. You're taking it nice and slow--the way I like it. Don't rush a thing--except your next update! ^_^

~Lia

Author's Response: Thank you so much! That was definitely my favorite line as well. I figured it was a pretty Draco-like thing to say...silly him. :) And I'm so happy that I can make you laugh because I can not even count how many times I've laughed at Time for Plan B. I'm glad you like Draco, too. :) As for the taking it slow, it's actually might get physical in about...5 chapters? I don't know, but I hope you won't be disappointed. And I will try to update soon. :) Thanks again for reading and reviewing!

HAHA! Omg that was priceless. Thank you for posting this! I can't stop laughing.

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked it. As a general note to everyone, thank you so much for your reviews, you make me feel so... well, funny! I've got a few more I'm working on that hopefully I will post in the near future. But til then, thanks everyone for your positive feedback!

Oh, I really like this Kim. It's so bitter-sweet. Ginny is so different, but in a good way, I find.

I can see that you strayed from your normal humour/romance (with fluff), and you are going for realism, which is often sad. I am left wondering what made Ginny so wild and carefree. So many little mysteries.

What I love the most about this story are your little descriptions: She was so close I could count the tiny freckles on her nose and see the different shades of brown that painted her irises. You just sprinkle them throughout the fic, and it makes it such a pleasure to read. I am reminded of licking chocolate off fingers. Delicious. ^^

Author's Response: Thanks, Lia. That's a compliment indeed. ^_^

I've had a couple of comments from my FF reviewers that they felt Ginny was more like Luna (which I knew was a danger when I first got the idea), but I like to think she still has her usual Ginny spirit. I really wanted to write a more carefree and wild Ginny -- one who doesn't have to be held back by family rivalries or even people's expectations -- and I loved the idea of creating a character who has such a deep connection with the land, wind and rain (as I do myself). I also wanted to steer well clear of the typical 'bantering' DG story that I normally write. You're right, I didn't want to write fluff, but I always knew it was going to be bittersweet in the end.

Brilliant.

What more can I say? Well, I can say a lot more, and I will. But to continue with the word brilliant: your prose is brilliant; your dialogue is brilliant; your characterisation is brilliant. I am truly in awe. There are very few stories that move me or excite me. Yours manages to do both.

To begin, you opening scene is magical, in a depressing way. Oh, and I say that in the nicest way possible. I mean, how do you take the compliment that you write funerals in a magical way? 'I had fun reading your descriptions about death and sorrow. Wee!' Well, needless to say that I am in love with your imagery and your description of everyone's reactions, especially George's muted anger.

Draco's scene is equally depressing. It’s made even gloomier with the fact that his entry is dated on his birthday. Poor lad. And while it is a horribly disheartening scene, I am captivated by his intuitiveness: There's something inescapably worth it in knowing a woman waits for you in a house the two of you can make a home. Sigh, chivalry is not dead with our Draco…or at least we hope not.

What I think I love the most about your writing, besides the fluid prose and delightful banter, is your casual commentary on certain characters--their development and their flaws: It's not enough to be the cleverest witch of her generation; [Hermione] wants tangible proof of it. Ginny wonders who she's trying to impress, these invisible critics only Hermione seems to see. Phenomenal. Spot on.

And Luna's tea party and pep talk with Draco? Fantastic! I just love how you pay attention to every detail. Your writing is such a pleasure to read. You have the ability to make me laugh, smile, and gasp--especially the scene where Draco is sleeping, and Ginny wakes him up. God, you paint such a vivid picture. I could see his confusion and fear--the animal instinct taking over.

And as the timeline progresses, you subtly and artfully demonstrate the maturity of our characters--and make them even more entertaining. Your banter just gets better and better. And the fluidity and naturalness of it? Brilliant! (I don't think I used the word 'brilliant' enough when associating it with you, wouldn't you agree?) ^_~

I cannot wait to read what happens next. I shall definitely be keeping an eye out for what you have to offer us next.

Amazing read. Amazing job.

~Lia

Author's Response: I responded over at FFN but I wanted to let you know again how much I appreciated your taking the time to write me such a fabulous review. :)

I have only one negative thing to say here: WHERE ARE THE REVIEWS???

Seriously, people! This is a brilliant piece of work. It's something you can read over and over, and it makes your heart melt and do that little fluttery thing. It's real. It's raw. It's beautiful.

APPRECIATE THIS! I do. ^_^

~Lia

Draco simply groaned and then picked up his skirts and fled from the ballroom, not even caring how undignified his retreat looked.

Lol! Brilliant, Kim. I was cackling at work. The rank and file think I've gone bonkers again. I can't believe I haven't reviewed this before on FFN.

Loved it!

Author's Response: It was hiding amongst the Through the Keyhole series. I forgot I even had it, but I realised it was over 1000 words, so I decided to upload it here. If it's not completely sad to say, I actually laughed myself when I read over it again. I don't know how I come up with these things sometimes.

This is brilliant. Lol!

“Well, Draco, you see we’re playing a role playing game,” Blaise said slowly.

“All of you?” Draco looked incredulous. “Isn't that a little polygamous and public? And with -”

*cackles* Oh dear Lord! Lololol! I was highly entertained. Great characterisation, great plot - very original. My inner geek loved it! ^^

Don't you love how I say "I'll review this on the weekend when I have more time", yet here I am? *sheepish grin*

What I like about this prologue, is that we actually see Draco being punished for his crimes. In canon (or at least what we suspect of canon) is that Draco was never punished - thanks to Harry. It's nice to know that Draco would be punished. It allows for a softer side of Draco to be revealed - and to be considered plausible.

It's also interesting how you work in the atmosphere of the new Azkaban, juxtaposing Draco's 'new' demeanour, mood. He is a man who has almost lost hope, who has made himself deaf not just to the world that surrounds and threatens to engulf him but to his own guilty conscience. Even now, after seven years have passed, he still seems to be in denial, having Fate shoulder the blame. That is not to say that Fate has no blame, but it is interesting to see how he psychologically represses things.

Yet there is hope. And you show that glimmer of hope through your analogy of a caged bird. It's quite lovely imagery - both uplifting and depressing. And the reader is left wondering where Draco will fly off to. Will he be able to fly, or will he be caught in the storm of inevitability?

Good job, as usual, Jessica. ^_^

Author's Response: Thanks, Lia. n_n I like how you can catch all that. In the beginning, I think I was just writing to be writing (I had such a hard time with this story because of RL things upsetting me, so nothing would come out), but I did want to do something different. I always TRY to do that, anyway. I like to think that Draco would have gotten off without punishment if Harry would have spoken for him, but I wanted to change that for this story. We also normally see Draco as a kind of fighting spirit, in some ways. But I think Half-Blood Prince showed us that he isn't that strong on the inside, though he tries to act like he is. I wanted that to come back out after the war. What else could he do? He messed up, whether he admits it or not. His life is the way it is now because of his decisions, so why should he make decisions anymore? Maybe he'd be better off if someone else made his decisions for him. I really like the imagery of the bird too. In a cage. Like his rib cage. X)

Anyway, thanks a lot for the review. You're very eloquent, aren't you? I think you put into words what I was going for much better than I could have. n_n