06 April 2008 @ 03:08 pm
FIC: Lost Time (H/D; R; 1000)  

Fandom: Harry Potter
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. No copyright infringement intended.
Title: Lost Time
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: R
Warning: Frotting, Toppy!Harry, Fluff & Porn (actually, if it's R-rated, do I get to call it erotica?)
Word Count: ~1000
Status: Complete
Summary: Harry wants to catch up on his teenage fantasies. (And I want to see Draco tied up with Harry's tie and long blond hair splayed over green grass. So this is clearly a win-win sort of deal between Harry and I.)
Note: Bah! I just realized I didn't write anything for the [livejournal.com profile] awdt's prompt and I promised myself I'll do so every week to practise my writing. So here's a bit of PWP for the choice of setting or a discussion point. I picked a picnic spot.


Lost Time

 

Harry slowly unbuttoned Draco's shirt, licking his lips as the material fell open and revealed a pale, lean chest. Gently, Harry trailed his fingertips over the smooth skin, loving the way muscles quivered underneath his touch. Harry intensified the pressure, raking blunt nails over Draco's flat abdomen. The muscles there clenched as the faint red traces appeared on the sweat-slicked skin. Draco took a deep breath and arched upwards, seeking more, his nipples sticking out invitingly as he did so. Harry's fingers caught one small, pink nub and pinched the sensitive flesh, enjoying the resulting moan that tumbled from Draco's lips.

Draco was a sight — lying on the blanket placed amidst the neatly mowed lawn; his long blond hair tousled, making Harry glad that there were no mirrors around so Draco couldn't see himself; his lips red and puffy from Harry's earlier assault, and his body covered with a sheen of sweat, from heat and Harry's slow teasing.

Looking at the enticingly wicked mouth that parted to utter a soft moan, Harry forgot to tease the nipple between his fingers, and instead, leaned down to abuse the lush lips some more. He stuck out his tongue, licking Draco's bottom lip before pushing his tongue in the sweet warmth of Draco's mouth. Draco hummed his approval, opening his mouth to accept the intrusion. They intertwined their tongues with sinuous, serpent-like moves that made Harry's toes curl and hips twitch.

After a few breathless moments, Harry regretfully ended the kiss, looking down at the silver eyes that burned with desire.

"We have to hurry," Harry murmured. "Or McGonagall will catch us."

Draco squinted at him, his eyes narrowing to slits, the bright sunlight clearly making it difficult for him to glare up at Harry. "You do realize that we're in our backyard, not Hogwarts?" he asked exasperatedly.

Harry frowned and pouted. "Play along." He emphasized his request by rolling his hips, a move that earned him more pretty sounds from the blond between whose thighs Harry was comfortably settled. Draco's long legs wrapped themselves around Harry's waist even tighter.

"Right." Draco agreed, gritting his teeth. "We skipped our lessons and snuck out for a picnic by the lake. Like the silly teenagers that we are," Draco said in a deadpan voice.

Harry nodded empathically. "And we could get caught any second now," he reminded. "Someone could see you sprawled on a blanket, half-naked and helpless beneath your ... um ... nemesis?"

Draco rolled his eyes and shook a strand of pale hair from his eyes. "I'm surprised you didn't ask me to put my school robes on."

"The tie will do." Harry smirked.

"One is supposed to wear it around their neck not around their wrists," Draco complained, lifting his tied hands and examining them distastefully. "Did you have to use your tie? The colours are making me queasy."

Harry grabbed Draco's wrists and pushed his hands back on the ground above Draco's head, at the same time wriggling his hips just a little. "It's only proper. You are tied to a Gryffindor for life."

"A Gryffindor and a bloody tease," Draco growled and bucked his hips violently, making Harry gasp and then yelp in surprise as Draco stretched his crossed legs a little, and then brought them harshly back to their original position, effectively smacking Harry's bum with the back of his shoes. Narrowing his eyes and still gripping Draco's wrists firmly, Harry pushed back roughly, thrusting his pelvis and rubbing their clothed bodies together so violently it almost hurt.

Draco gasped as he tried to free his hands, his hips working together with Harry's, thrusting upwards in a circular motion.

"Harry — Merlin — clothes! We'll get — dirty."

Harry laughed breathlessly, not breaking off his frantic rhythm — the friction felt too good for Harry to stop now. "We're teenager in school, remember. This is how —" Harry paused to moan, "— impatient teenagers do it. Or so I heard."

Draco groaned and then bucked, arching his back and baring his neck. Harry leaned in and bit down on the unprotected skin, making Draco hiss and curse even as he tipped his head to one side, giving Harry better access. Harry attacked Draco's ear instead, tugging on the lobe with his teeth and tracing the shell with his tongue, never pausing the furious grinding against Draco's arousal. Draco was shivering and hissing as Harry purposely curved his spine and rubbed his clothed chest over Draco's bare skin. The feeling must have been torturous for Draco's oversensitive nipples, because the blond couldn't seem to stop his moans and increasingly loud whimpers.

After long moments in which Harry felt sweat break out on his back where the sun burned him even through his clothes, Draco's body shuddered in release and the strong thighs gripped Harry painfully, heels digging into his arse, almost completely preventing him from moving. Harry gathered his strength and rose up a little, gripping Draco's wrists for support as he picked up speed and adjusted his angle, rubbing himself shamelessly against Draco's still writhing body. After a couple of breathless moans and harsh jerks of his hips, Harry stiffened as intense pleasure coursed through him. With a growl and a shudder, he collapsed on top of his lover, still twitching from aftershocks of his powerful orgasm.

Unpleasant wetness spread inside his boxers and Harry grimaced at the feeling.

"What's next? We'll lock ourselves in a broom cupboard?" Draco asked, somehow managing to sound both amused and annoyed.

Harry raised his head to smile at the sated looking blond. "Not a bad idea."

Draco shook his head, lifting his tied hands to hook them around Harry's neck. "You are so wretchedly silly. And apparently, going through midlife crisis. But I love you anyway." He paused, considering. "You're one fortunate man."

"I know," Harry agreed before leaning for a soft, slow kiss. These were perhaps, Harry's favourite types of kisses — passionate and satisfying, but unhurried and gentle — the kind that melted his insides and made the world spin. "Mmm, we never had a chance to do this while at school. We've been too busy fighting. I'm just making up for lost time," Harry whispered against Draco's lips.

Draco looked at him indulgently with warm twinkling eyes. "Beyond silly," he said with certainty. "Come on," he added, sounding resigned. "Let's find a broom cupboard." Draco furrowed his brow and cocked his head, blinking in confusion. "Do we have one?"

Harry bit his lips, forming a different plan. He grabbed Draco's hands again and pressed them on the ground. "Actually," he grinned down at the wary but curious silver eyes, "I think I want to play detention now."


Fin


 

 
 
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[identity profile] kaykayen.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 02:11 am (UTC)
I couldn't possibly judge rationally on this. :D (I'm a lucky shipper. One of my ships ended up as canon and the other is simply AWESOME and I can play with it as much as I like! :D *brags shamelessly*)

Now don't you think you're taking unfair advantage here! :D

I have to agree with your observation of G & D's mothers. They totally rock. So yes, I can see Ginny growing up and being stronger. She does, afterall, have six older brothers! But she's also the youngest and the only girl and I think in the books tends to be more sheltered, hence being susceptible in the diary incident. She tends to be easy led by a stronger male personality.

I like Draco with Harry because I think they are both strong and I don't see Harry needing someone who "wears the pants" but someone who would give him everything without idolizing him. I see Harry are someone who enters the Wizarding world a little overwhelmed and a little insecure about his magical abilities, but who, by the end of the seventh book (sans epilogue) has grown in maturity and internal strength. His death, contact with his parents, and return solidifies this.

I also feel if you compare his rescue of Ginny to his rescue of Draco, his connection with Draco is stronger. Draco actively protects Harry. Ginny is a mere puppet in the proceedings. Harry saves Ginny because she's Ginny and family, and in trouble. He saves Draco, when he could have easily just left him in the Fiendfyre incident, without question, not just because of his "saving people" complex, but because of that connection.

And Protective!Father!Draco is totally abso-fucking-lutely canon. And when Harry and Draco get together he's totally protective of Harry as is Harry of Draco...

And OMG! I love discussing this you! *snuggles you back!*
faithwood.livejournal.com[identity profile] faithwood.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 11:25 am (UTC)
... was sleeping :D
But she's also the youngest and the only girl and I think in the books tends to be more sheltered, hence being susceptible in the diary incident.

It's possible I'm projecting a bit when it comes to Ginny, TBH. I was always the youngest sheltered child and I gotta tell you: it's HARD to shake off that FEELING y'know, that 'I should probably let someone else do this for me.' Because everybody always did stuff for me. And these days I'm my own person, and I'm kinda proud of myself for that. So I have this special place for Ginny because I know how it feels to be so sheltered. It kinda SUCKS. So when Ginny dumped Dean for trying to help her get into the GT, it kind of struck a cord with me. Y'know that whole, 'I'm trying to be my own person and now I get this boyfriend who wants to do stuff for me!' Overreaction or not, I get the feeling behind it. I was both proud and sad for her then.

She tends to be easy led by a stronger male personality.

You mean she's looking for someone (subconsciously) to take care of her? Again, I get that, it's like a drug, it's seductive. I do have a thing for strong men, but honestly, it's wearing off. When I grew up I realized that I would end up hating this strong man in the end. So this is where fiction and Harry came in. I don't see Harry as controlling, I think he's well balanced. I think he can listen and lead, whatever it takes. So as I see it, Harry is EXACTLY what Ginny needs. So it really makes me happy for Ginny because it's not like I'll have a chance to get myself a Harry. :(

I like Draco with Harry because I think they are both strong

I'm so sorry. Please don't be mad at me now ♥, it's just a personal opinion, but I don't see Draco as someone who is very strong. I can write him like that because of all those things I said in my last response. I'm POSITIVE that he has predisposition to BECOME strong and brave and AWESOME. But in canon? I just don't see that strength. He is trying but I didn't see it get developed. For me ... I ship H/G and H/D because I can IMAGINE them becoming equals. I think the CLUES are there.

I also feel if you compare his rescue of Ginny to his rescue of Draco, his connection with Draco is stronger. Harry saves Ginny because she's Ginny and family, and in trouble.

I saw H/G shippers trying to paint CoS events as a shippy moment, but quite honestly ... I DID see the ship coming from book one but I just wasn't interested, they were KIDS! Ewwww! But well, I don't see the point in comparing those two events. Back in CoS Harry and Ginny have little to do with one another, Harry saved her because she was RON's sister, of course. I'm not sure how that event has anything to do with Harry and Ginny some five years later.

Draco actively protects Harry.

Are you talking about the Malfoy Manor incident? I don't think Draco was protecting Harry. Draco is protective of his family and in book seven he was ready to give Harry to V. just to make sure that his family stays alive. Now, it makes my shipper's heart sad, but I think that's a big, important character moment for Draco. And it made me FEEL for him so HARD. And it makes me think, if Harry and Draco would get together this is the treatment that Harry would get as well. And that ... *sigh* that makes me all TINGLY!

I do want to give Harry what he needs and in the books he spent a lot of time staring at the Marauder's Map, looking at Ginny's dot AND Draco's dot wistfully! :D :D :D

I was kidding about the pants thing. I'm sorry, it was a silly joke. I don't think Harry needs someone to control him. What I meant with that is that he needs someone with a strong personality but inherited gentleness. You don't have to tell me about how awesome and grown up Harry is. Beyond any shippiness, for me, it's always been about Harry. I'm such a Harry fangirl it's kinda scary. I think he's the wisest the coolest the strongest the ... Well, I admit it's not rational, but there it is. DON'T ENCOURAGE ME! Or this discussion will turn into me drooling over Harry! (LOL! I just wrote a veela!Harry fic and gave him wings! (H/D midair sex! :D :D Um.)

[identity profile] kaykayen.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 01:23 pm (UTC)
Sleep? What's that?
I was both proud and sad for her then.

I really have no say in what it would be like to be the youngest and the only girl as I'm an only child! I have a couple of friends who are, though. One of them drives me crazy because she CANNOT make a decision to save her life! She calls everyone in her family before going to the bathroom! But, like we discussed earlier, Molly is FIERCE. And Ginny is her daughter. It’s just that Ginny’s character development is not really played out in the book. She’s depicted as the little sister, a fangirl, a vessel for Riddle, a damsel in distress. I think Harry will have had quite enough of being the hero after Voldemort’s demise. I agree with you that he’s strong but not controlling and wants and equal relationship where there is give and take. I suppose one of the problems with a 19-year gap is that you don’t get to see Ginny grow into that kind of person and I personally don’t see enough hints of it in the book. But I may be biased ~_^. After all, like you, once you see/understand the dynamics it’s something you can change or work with in your life.

I don't see Draco as someone who is very strong

First of all, I'm not mad (and not going to get mad) at anything discussed here! This truly is fascinating me!

I should have said “would be” strong. Though if there was ever a damsel in distress, the Fiendfyre rescue sure painted Draco as it :D *ducks rotten eggs*! Perhaps my obsession with reading H/D blurs canon with fanon and I’m certain it biases me! However, I see Draco’s strength develop more than Ginny’s because he goes through a hell of a lot more (I mean really, having snake-eyes in your house, watching every move and holding a wand to your head? *shudders*).

I don't think Draco was protecting Harry.

I may have overstated when I said "protecting Harry." I see the incident at the manor as Draco trying to protect his family but unable to give up Harry. This was the perfect opportunity for him to save his family by giving Harry up but he hemmed and hawed... And you could see it as a coward’s way out but I see it as a Slytherin’s effort to do both.

…he needs someone with a strong personality but inherited gentleness.

Yes. Absolutely! Pants or skirts aside :D he needs both (er, strong and gentle, not pants and skirt… er, maybe that’s another fic 0.0). He needs a relationship that flows with the tide. [livejournal.com profile] softly_sweetly wrote a fic recently where Draco says: "Thought I was supposed to console you?" and Harry’s reply was "It's a relay-race kind of set up." And I thought YES that’s it. That’s what their relationship would be.

I think he's the wisest the coolest the strongest the ...

LOL *encourages you madly*! I have to say I’m a rabid reader and I’ll try just about any complete fic I come across. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up one and found Harry portrayed as a weak, simpering, incompetent idiot! Drives me INSANE! I can see oblivious sometimes but dear gawd how some people turn him into a complete marshmallow! I don’t just. don’t. get. it.

I’m actually quite impressed that you can ship both H/D and H/G. Seems most people in HP fandom go one way or the other and feel quite strongly about it *ducks head*. I admit I’m a total H/D shipper (and, like you, a total Harry fangirl). I can probably count on one hand the number of other ship fics I’ve read! *g*

I just wrote a veela!Harry fic and gave him wings!

Gah! Where? WHERE? WHERE???. (I might have a creature fic kink! Wish there were more well written ones out there.) Speaking of creature fics, I adored your Mine to Take Care of. Actually, I really like all of your writing. You’ve never failed to entertain me, whether it’s humorous, hotness, or introspective (or all of the above)!
faithwood.livejournal.com[identity profile] faithwood.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 02:55 pm (UTC)
Re: Sleep? What's that?
Actually, I really like all of your writing. You’ve never failed to entertain me, whether it’s humorous, hotness, or introspective (or all of the above)!

*thump* I think you officially won the discussion now, because you've killed me dead with the compliment! :D Yes, I'm just THAT easy!

Oh, you know, you start reading shippy fics and some of them are so good that it feels like canon because it explains something about the character to you, and well, honestly, combined with my own personal projection it's hard to remember which parts are canon and which aren't. So behind my statement of 'I UNDERSTAND Ginny and I SEE clues!' there's some personal stuff and many fanfics! :D Maybe that's a good thing. Everybody gets to pick a character and flesh them out a bit the way they want to. (NOT HARRY, of course. We KNOW Harry too well!)

I suppose one of the problems with a 19-year gap is that you don’t get to see Ginny grow into that kind of person

Yeah, that's true. There's not much romance in the books. A good thing in a way. Honestly, the problem with Harry and Ginny being canon is that it's kind of well, OVER. There's none of that 'let's get them together' novelty. (I like the ships equally. But you might have noticed I do write more of H/D. (You should see my tags list when I display them as a cloud. Harry/Draco one is ENORMOUS!) This is a part of the reason.) So the gap and possible problems in their relationships (all the things you mentioned, for example) are actually a gift to H/G shippers cuz there's something to write about other than marriage and kids. (yeah, okay, this really excludes me, I'm pretty focused on PORN! :P)

Though if there was ever a damsel in distress, the Fiendfyre rescue sure painted Draco as it :D

LOL! Oh, how I LAUGHED at that! I couldn't believe it! I still get giggly over that bit. I'm not the biggest fan of the movies, but this is one scene I can't wait to see! *fangirly squee*

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up one and found Harry portrayed as a weak, simpering, incompetent idiot! Drives me INSANE! I can see oblivious sometimes but dear gawd how some people turn him into a complete marshmallow! I don’t just. don’t. get. it.

Arghhhh! I KNOW! This is why I'm scared of bottom!Harry fics (it usually goes hand in hand — bottoming and weakness! Grrr. That's another rant!) So more often than not I end up reading bottom!Draco and writing bottom!Harry to compensate. AND I hate, HATE I have to be guided with something so SILLY (I mean, I never really cared! And I liked it that way!) while reading and writing but some bottom!Harry fics TRULY traumatized me. I like blushy, oblivious, sweet, a little insecure Harry BUT how can people forget that THE MAN HAS BALLS OF STEEL!

Ahem.

Gah! Where? WHERE? WHERE???.

I'll post it in an hour or so! :D Warning: It cracky porn. Basically Harry randomly flies around and well ... he does stuff. :D
I think I'm gonna call it 'Intense Veela Encounter'. Or not, I have to think about it. :D

[identity profile] kaykayen.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 06:39 pm (UTC)
Why do they want me to work just 'cause I'm in the office?
I think you officially won the discussion now, because you've killed me dead with the compliment!

Ah! So that's the key! :D

Honestly, the problem with Harry and Ginny being canon is that it's kind of well, OVER.

Maybe that's why I object to the H/G ship... There really wasn't much romance in the book and then the epilogue just shoved H/G at you with hardly a preamble. A kiss? He kissed Cho, too! I guess I got to the end (pre-epilogue) and I was feeling the triumph of the battle and then the epilogue just felt incongruous. Like she was trying to do a LOTR ending with Aragorn and Arwen without the romantic build up!

And hell, H/D is just so much hotness that I can't resist. If make myself consider H/G, I see it more as sweet and lovey-dovey, and proper!

I'm pretty focused on PORN!

Absolutely NOTHING wrong there! ~_^

This is why I'm scared of bottom!Harry fics

I'm with you there. Frankly, I don't care one way or the other, but bottom!Harry does get portray as wimpy and weak in the majority of those fics which he most certainly is NOT! I mean, HELLO, the guy marches off to his death in order to defeat Voldemort! Yeah. So. Definitely balls of steel!

I'll post it in an hour or so! :D Warning: It cracky porn. Basically Harry randomly flies around and well ... he does stuff.

I LOVE it already!
faithwood.livejournal.com[identity profile] faithwood.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 07:01 pm (UTC)
Work? What's that?
Like she was trying to do a LOTR ending with Aragorn and Arwen without the romantic build up!

To be fair ... I don't think LOTR had a romantic build up. I mean, AA story was in the Appendixes! (Not that I care, I was, still kinda am, a Aragorn fangirl. I just wanted him to have sex with many different people! (not hobbits and dwarves though) :D)

If make myself consider H/G, I see it more as sweet and lovey-dovey, and proper!

You're not alone there. That's why I'm not very liked in the H/G world. I do write pegging fics and make Harry be a roll-playing, striptease-performing rentboy! :D :D :D Heh. Or alternatively have him tie his wife up and then I use the word FUCK instead of MAKING LOVE. It drives some H/G shippers batty! *snort* But not all of them thankfully!

(heehee, this almost turned into a discussion about Harry's balls! :D)

[identity profile] kaykayen.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 07:38 pm (UTC)
Re: Work? What's that?
I don't think LOTR had a romantic build up.

True. The books were definitely not about the romance. I think I remember grumping about them romanticizing the movie this before it came out. But having just watched all three movies this weekend, I had the whole coronation scene stuck in my head! Oh, and I'm total Aragorn fangirl (though I haven't read any LOTR fanfic!). However, I want Aragorn to have lots of sex with me, myself and I ~__^ !

...and make Harry be a roll-playing, striptease-performing rentboy!

Guh! That's interesting that you say H/G shippers feel the same way as I do. I was really trying to figure out why I feel that way. It's not that I don't do het porn (with "fuck" instead of "make love") but I can't see it with H/G. Maybe if I get balls of steel (can't leave those alone, can I? :D ) I'll peek at one of your H/G and see if it'll change my mind. I have to admit, though, that while I was actually cringing! LOL!
faithwood.livejournal.com[identity profile] faithwood.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 07:58 pm (UTC)
Re: Work? What's that?
I haven't read any LOTR fanfic!

Seriously? There's some awesome stuff. Though I must admit my favorite stories were gen-ish. *shock*

As far as H/G porn goes, LJ-people are fine but SITES? Urgh! That's a long-standing drama: H/G-porn vs. H/G-gen. Thinking about Harry/Ginny all sweet and proper is really just ODD for me! o.O

Maybe if I get balls of steel (can't leave those alone, can I? :D ) I'll peek at one of your H/G and see if it'll change my mind.

Oh, I don't think it's possible to change someone's mind with a fic. If you don't see it, you don't see it! LOL! Don't make yourself reading stuff you don't want! For example, I tried reading Harry/Hermione but *cringe* it makes me SO uncomfortable!

Our shipping ways are an everlasting mystery! :D And I'm an oddball. :(
[identity profile] kaykayen.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 11:12 pm (UTC)
Re: Work? What's that?
Thinking about Harry/Ginny all sweet and proper is really just ODD for me!

That's how I picture that ship and it's definitely very unappealing! There's fluff and then there's stick-your-finger-down-your-throat ick!

I tried reading Harry/Hermione...

Eeeeeewwwwwww! *scrubs image out of mind* That's infinitely worse than H/G!

And I'm an oddball.

Nah! We like what we like! But you're definitely a talented writer!

Hey! I didn't mention Harry's balls of steel... *oops* ~_^
faithwood.livejournal.com[identity profile] faithwood.livejournal.com on April 7th, 2008 11:36 pm (UTC)
Re: Work? What's that?
*scrubs image out of mind*

Yeah. Especially, ESPECIALLY, H/Hr fics feature one of the dumbest most incompetent Harrys ever! >.<

But you're definitely a talented writer.

Stooooop! Where will I put my big head now?

Random:

~_^ <-I love this smiley. It looks so sassy!
[identity profile] kaykayen.livejournal.com on April 8th, 2008 11:49 am (UTC)
Re: Work? What's that?
one of the dumbest most incompetent Harrys ever

He defeated one of the most evil Wizards ever... just how could he be incompetent? Where do people get that idea????

Where will I put my big head now?

I'm expanding it so more of those lovely plot bunnies can find residence *laughs evilly*

faithwood.livejournal.com[identity profile] faithwood.livejournal.com on April 8th, 2008 04:17 pm (UTC)
I have more words to say!
Where do people get that idea?

My theory? Well you gonna get it now! :D

A person A likes a character C more than Harry. Now, I understand that. It's just a personal preference.

Then A goes and writes a fic.

A wants to pair up their favourite character with the hero of the story.

Again, TOTALLY understand that.

Since A likes C more, A wants C to be COOLER than Harry. I still get that, but the problem?

How do you make someone smart and witty and cool?

That is hard!

It's much easier to make your not so favourite characters extremely stupid, so YOUR character would seem AWESOME next to them.

Because, in the majority of Dumb!Harry fics his chosen pair is often not-so-bright though everyone in the fic keeps saying that s/he is, in fact, s/he is often just very RUDE! But everyone in the fic refuses to acknowledge it because the AUTHOR refuses to acknowledge it.

Let's say you want to have a story where Draco comes up on top. (literally AND figuratively :D)

So, if Draco makes a stupid plan and Harry falls for it than Harry is an idiot and so is Draco. So you have a story about two idiots.

But if Draco makes an AWESOME plan and Harry falls for it. Then you get to admire Draco AND feel bad for Harry.

Both scenarios have Draco end up on top of things. But one makes me get my mallet and the other could intrigue me!

So, basically, I'm hoping that people don't actually think that Harry is stupid, but don't know how to make their characters smarter! :D

[identity profile] kaykayen.livejournal.com on April 9th, 2008 02:33 am (UTC)
Re: I have more words to say!
I have more words to say!

Always welcome! Seriously.

I can't begrudge anyone liking a particular character more than another. And we can certainly disagree, hopefully intelligently and rationally like we have!

And honestly, this is a really fascinating perspective. As I am not a writer and uber critical, my take was that we were dealing with a bunch of prepubescent girls who can't write anything than an adolescent "emo" personality.

But this is awesome because some of the stuff isn't necessarily badly written (at least I don't feel like it was written by a 12-year old!) but just out of left field in terms of characterizations. I always wonder if they've even READ the books (or even one of them)!

My husband tells me that I expect competence in everyone (not IQ smarts or even street smarts, but basic ability to be competent... like don't start walking across a busy street without looking for cars O.o !) and that until I stop doing that I will be sorely disappointed! And trust me, he's not a pessamist. He's actually quite optimistic with a realistic view. He seems to think I expect too much!

But your take on this is fascinating. They're not necessarily trying to make Harry an idiot, but trying to elevate their character-of-choice. And without putting much thought into it do it by making Harry weak and incompetent. You are right. It's easier to write people weaker than it is to create a stronger character. Easier to whine than to stand up to opposition.

Maybe I can forgive their atrocities ~__^ !
faithwood.livejournal.com[identity profile] faithwood.livejournal.com on April 9th, 2008 01:45 pm (UTC)
Re: I have more words to say!
This is my way of consoling myself, otherwise some fics would make me lose my faith in humanity. Sometimes I read a story (even though I hate it form the very beginning. I'm a masochist.) and I end up screaming at my monitor, so to make myself feel better I rationalize things. Because I know that sometimes you think of something and you write it down and then you get a bunch of reviews that say something totally different from what you had in mind.

So why get mad when you can't tell for sure what they had in their minds? Maybe they wanted to write a sweet Harry but overdid it and ended up making him dumb. (Obviously, there are exceptions and sometimes people are just mean bitches who skimmed the books!)

There's this one story in this part of the fandom. Very popular and all. Very well-written. Draco's characterization is superb, plot is wonderful and interesting, Harry/Draco's relationship slow-developing and believable. There's even a sense of equality between them. Just perfect.

But, I only realized it halfway through the story, and became increasingly irritated by the end of it — there's a huge flaw in Harry's characterization. He wasn't too dumb or whinny, nor too clever and too strong. He was just ... nothing. By the end, I had this feeling like Draco had been dragging an inflated Harry doll around.

And I was so angry, especially because the story was so GOOD otherwise, but Harry was so inconsequential! But then I realized that the author was actually trying to put a spin on this contrived plotline and not making Harry (or Draco) whiny and dumb was part of the goal. The author was searching for balance and well, failed just a little by making Harry too flat. So now I like the story better, Harry!doll or not.

He seems to think I expect too much!

Oh, I expect too much as well. And being a struggling amateur writer it makes me hypocritical! There were times when I grumbled about making Harry and Draco jump to bed much too soon. But then I got a review that told me I did exactly that and after I fumed and reread the story I realized they were right! (of course instead of trying to fix this I'm just enjoying those stories more now because I get the whole desire to say: Oh, screw the plot let's bring the sexing! :D) I just make sure to warn for PWP-ness. :D