The Way to a Man's Heart -- a Harry Potter fic (beta'd by me!)

[paragraphs]

I have another German in my life who I adore (though not in the same way as Nick). Her name is catsintheattic and she writes in the Harry Potter fandom. She asked me if I would like to be part of her beta team for her fic she was entering in the hd_career_fair . I said, "Of course!"

Seems Cats was inspired somewhat by a post I made on writing mysteries, and turned her entry for the fair into a mystery. I had a blast beta'ing this fic, and so I'm pimping it here for any of my flisties who might enjoy it. It starts out with a haunting scene that made me sit up and take notice (Cats has a knack for this kind of thing, I must say) and dabbles in the gruesome a bit, which of course I love. Harry's relationship with Draco starts out not from hate but from tolerance (this is post-war) and evolves into more, but not easily. I haven't read many HP fics, I admit, but I liked that she made this choice, and jumped their relationship from that rather than hatred. Draco has a hell of a time making his way in life, but Cats makes him a sympathetic character, and I for one really get a kick out of the thought of Draco turning to cooking when being a hard-core wizard is no longer an option. He makes a different sort of magic in this fic, and Harry falls quite hard under Draco's spell.

So here's the link to the original post: The Way to a Man's Heart. Enjoy!

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Noting for when I have more reading online time . . . I love a good fic!

[velvetcure.livejournal.com]

you have a christmas card headed your way! :)

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, love!

&hearts

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

You're welcome babycakes...am still eagerly awaiting the other one, because omg I can't get it out of my head, even now. I LOVE IT!

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

I suppose you're talking about Bella's story? I have two other stories from fests that are waiting to be posted, but I don't think you know them yet.

Bella's story is posted here (http://community.livejournal.com/cats_fic/27341.html#cutid1), with a link to the original post, too.

And thank you so much for your support and great beta-skills. *hugs*

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Hmph. I am a gripey beta. It deserved so many more comments than you got! Is it like the Torchwood fandom--if you don't write jack and ianto, you hardly get comments?

This piece is freaking BRILLIANT! It should be required reading!

And lol I guess it went up soon after, as it was October. Dork me!

I love it and I think it should stand as a testament to just how amazingly talented you are.

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

I love your gripey-ness, and you also give an equal amount of encouragement. It's a good way to learn. I can't learn from praise alone. :-)

Bella's story is the one I wrote this year that easily got the smallest attention. Two of the six commenters came from celta_diabolica's rec at her journal, another two came from my own journal, where I put a little post when I posted the story to the comm.

I guess it has been too dark for the comm it was posted in. I've never seen extremely dark stories posted at femgenficathon. Or maybe most people read Bella for kinkier stuff.

Or maybe it has been just the wrong story at the wrong time and place. The lack of attention made me a little sad when the story was fresh, but I'm over it. Not every story can get a lot of attention - unless you are one of those writers famous for a character or pairing and just draw in all the readers whenever you post. But I'm not that kind of writer.

Your kind words make me blush, darling. And I'm glad to work a little more on that talent. It just feels like the right thing to do. :-) *hugs*

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

*shakes fist at fandom silliness that seems to exist in every fandom*

Well, I will pimp it anyway--never too late for more love! I got SO much out of beta'ing that fic--it actually inspired me (as did LOL your H/D fic) to try my hand at writing darker, which I've never done. Am slaving over that now (Torchwood version of The Birds) and hope I can carry it off--I really need a wee bit more time than I have, dang it, but that's my fault for procrastinating. Bah.

LOL cute on your blushing--I just really find this piece something you should always hold up as one of your most brilliant :) Just saying!

[catsintheattic.livejournal.com]

Fandom cannot be cured of silliness as much as it cannot be cured of awesomeness. :-)

I will feel so special for your pimping. *beams*

And I feel extremely honoured that you enjoyed the beta-reading so much. *happy dance*

OMG, I inspired you! *more blushing* I like the idea of a TW!The Birds (always loved the movie) and I have my fingers crossed for you. I'm not that much into TW as a fandom, but I enjoyed the series (have to rewatch it, now that I finally have all my DVDs back *grin*), and I think I should check out your story once it's posted.

The two stories to come are both dark stories as well, and I'm a little proud of both - for different reasons. Apart from the H/D, I've written nothing but dark stuff this year. I had such a blast! And even the H/D has its darker elements, lol.

I really need to sort out my next writing projects, to get a fresh goal and renewed focus. I want to write!