Stupid

I thought It'd put this review in both places since... well, it was amazing. I haven't cried this much in years, and that's saying something.

Pairing: HHr
Summary: Hermione's wandering train of thought as she washes the dishes. 'Ron will kill me if he sees me cleaning without a wand. You're a witch, act like it! he'd say. He doesn't understand that I need the distraction...'
Rating: soft M
Length: 8 Chapters, 77K
Location: FF.net

I just finished this, moments ago, and I've still got that pain in my throat and that tiredness in my eyes from their dripping. Stupid by The Seamonkey was a complete surprise for me. When I don't like something immediately, or I can't see where it's going, I'll usually go back to searching without much thought and it's final. Every time I see the story again I'll remember that I couldn't read it before and move right along. I was so close to doing that.

I was maybe 3 paragraphs in and I just couldn't catch on to the writing style, or the phrasing, or the tone of Hermione's POV. I remember a while ago when I couldn't even STAND a story written in first person... I'm sure it's in one of my rules lists on Loves Dramione from 2008. The first instance of "I" and I'd run back to searching again. And with this one I went right back to the search, but read the summary again (bit elusive, isn't it?) with the HHr pairing and the Ron/Hermione descript. But then the word caught, "distraction" and the title "Stupid" and I was determined to figure out what that could mean in this story. Did she cheat? Was she this close to tearing off Harry's clothes at the very sight of him? Did they make some sort of mistake and she was living a lie?

Of course, any of these things could apply and more. So typical, so common in fanfiction are these types of stories that I can usually predict how they play out. I'm just good like that. But no, I was seriously wrong!

This is a story about long lost love, with it standing right in front of you and your very soul dedicated to protecting that person and your life from your feelings. Barely living and going through the motions so as to not mess up the perfect life around you whilst knowing that it is in fact the most imperfect, sad, grey life that's been carved out for you and the slightest touch can set it off. It's a story about self-denial and restraint and just so much goodness for the benefit of others that, although I didn't get it at first, is just so characteristic of both Harry and Hermione.

I'm crying again just thinking about it.

I have searched long and hard for an HHr worth mentioning, and have found few. I can't get away from HD and DHr, but this is just something so amazing that I doubt I'll ever be able to read another in the pairing without comparing the two. Please give it a read, you might not get it at first but.... wow.

Addictions

I started and finished reading Addictions by Cliodna yesterday, and I was not disappointed! It was just the thing to keep me entertained :). 

Location: -Personal Website-"Cliodna Writes"

The summary for this story is: "Hermione can't seem to figure out why Draco Malfoy wont stay away from her-and even more disturbing, neither can he.

Warnings: None Listed, but contains the usual. M/F sex...

Rating: NC-17 (not really)

Length: 15 Chapters, Mid-Length

Time Period: Post Hogwarts

How Good?: 9/10, perfect length, a great amount of everything, but falls a teeny bit short in the smut...

And the Smut?:  Where that point is lost. Though sexy, descriptive, and nicely timed, but a little more angst/experimentation could be given. Explanation below.

Status: Complete (2005)

Pairing: Draco/Hermione, Harry/Hermione

This Round 4 Dramione Award winner was a definite treat, and a great day read. It was rather predictable, but not disappointing in the least. Sometimes a story that has a major twist is ruined because of it! 

SPOILER!

And about the smut... The only problem I had was that if Hermione was experienced sexually, why on earth would the wildest thing she tries (illustrated in one of the sex books) be oral sex. If she is having sex with Draco Malfoy, there is definitely going to be some spanking, anal, the works. Not necessarily, but he is painted to be a bad boy in this story. Although the little bit of DubCon is very sensible, and used quite well, the idea that Draco needs/wants more than the usual that he's getting with Natalia should be played upon. He's sex starved, and should want as much and as many different versions as he can get, and should have no problem using it to mess with Hermione. 

Anywhoo! It still got a great rating, and with good reason. Harry is perfect for Hermione, in the literal sense... but logically, she belongs with Draco. It's clear with this story.