Debtors and Collectors

Yesterday I finished this story, Debtors and Collectors by MizSphinx. I was completely blindsided last night by a different story, but this one is still in my head. I'd been on the lookout for a Lumione and this was definitely just what I needed!

Summary: When Lucius is found half-dead, Hermione is tempted to finish the job that Fate intended. Instead, she saves his life thus binding him to a life debt. Now it's up to Hermione to collect her repayment. And collect it she will.

Location: FF.net

Rating: M

Length: 76K, 21 Chapters

Time Period: Post War

Smut: 8/10 (just because I'm greedy for smut!)

Status: Complete

Pairing: Lumione

*small spoiler*

But only enough of a spoiler so you know what's going on. Voldemort's won, Hermione is on the run--and so is Lucius. By the summary and title, you know that there's a debt to collect...

Now, this story was so...sweet. Grim, in parts, hateful in many, but eventually nothing matters but survival. The story is a bit common, but it reads as a suspense filled action/romance, Hermione and Lucius versus the Death Eaters with someone to save. It's actually somewhat rustic and raw (what with the being on the run/forest dwelling), with humor spread about.

Isolation

Oh incomplete fics... I've not finished this one yet, as it's currently waiting on chapter 29, but I really have enjoyed it so far. Isolation by Bex-chan is so nicely done that I'm not even going to wait it out for it to finish before I post a link here.

Chances are, though, that I'd forget it (like I have the past few months) and switch to a new story. I'm hoping that I can hold off for a few chapters and get to the end before I fill out this review completely...

Summary: Post HBP. Ron and Harry are Horcrux hunting and Hermione has been left at Hogwarts to help the Order make it safe for the other students. Draco is forced by Snape to stay in Hogwarts for his own protection, but he can't leave the room he is given; Granger's room. Hermione is the only student trusted with this information, so her and Malfoy share the small space, and Draco tries to avoid insanity as he becomes increasingly isolated with only the Mudblood for company. Something's going to give...

Location: FF.net

Warnings: Mature, explicit language

Rating: M

Length: ~150K+

Time Period: Post HBP

Status: In Progress

Pairing: Dramione

I know, it seems like a typical storyline... And in many ways it is... But there's a good level of obsession and desperation that really makes this stand out, and keeps me waiting for the end.

On Suffering

Such a great surge of stories from this writer! I just read 4 of her fics, and have just begun another... But a one-shot I read (so good that I actually searched for a one-shot!) by LiterarySpell, On Suffering, was the last of hers that I completed. Though short, it was perfect and perfectly erotic.

Summary: Draco kidnaps Hermione, intent on revenge. What he gets is so much more—and less—than he expected. Has he suffered enough, or is he only just beginning?

Location: FF.net

Warnings: serious dub-con (bordering on non-con), bondage, suggestions of mental disease/defect

Rating: NC-17

Length: ~4500

Time Period: PostWar

Status: Complete

Pairing: Dramione

Give it a look!

The Lord's Mudblood

This fic was even more proof that shorter stories can come out complete!

The Lord's Mudblood by MistressMalfoy is about an honest affair, not malicious or hurtful, but about a hot connection between Hermione and Lucius that evolves into so much more.

Our main characters start off as usual, bookish and superior, but the story is interlaced with other couples and pairings. I found that most exciting! You'll be reading about Harry's downright impressive rendezvous, all the while developing some serious disgust for Ginny. All the history and plotlines manage to round out nicely, so much that you'll want to try new pairings...

And look out for Severus!

Location: Granger Enchanted (here)

Summary: She was drawn to him, like a moth to a flame. He was consumed by her. Their affair would rock the wizarding world to the core...

Rating: NC17

Length: 38K

Time Period: Post-War

Status: Complete

Pairing: Lumione

The summary for this story really doesn't do it justice, it isn't just any Lumione. Some may find it scattered, but as I'm always trying to get the most out of my readings, the story turns were awesome.

There are some moments in here where some may think Lucius acts too harshly, or Hermione too fluffily. But it's still hot.

Rehabilitation

This morning I finished Rehabilitation by SoftObsidian74! I started it last night, and quickly read through it... And it was amazing! I rarely read short stories, preferring not having to worry about reaching the ending for a while. I didn't have that problem while reading this!

It's like a beginning of a story, but the actual outcome of it is so sweet and endearing that it still feels complete. I was surprised by Soft's Lucius, and found myself as frustrated as Hermione at times. And I was shocked! And scared for him! But it was so slick... and he was so sneaky and Slytherin...

Just as the title describes, the story is about a damaged, Post War Lucius going through rehab. I wasn't looking forward to that, as I love my Lucius powerful and strong. But don't fear! He's under there!

Location: Granger Enchanted, The Quidditch Pitch (here)

Summary: Hermione decides to help Lucius Malfoy transition back into the wizarding world. She never expected to go through a transition of her own. Post DH, not completely epilogue compliant though.

Rating: RT, M (Restricted Themes)

Length: 32K, 11 Chapters

Time Period:

Status: Complete

Pairing: Lumione

If Lucius is ever in need, I'd be happy to nurse him back to health... :P

Hunted

I'm currently reading, along with several others, a Dramione fic by LJ author Bex-chan. I'm a little over halfway through, and it is one of the few stories that I've read that have enough plot and drama that make me want to read the entire thing! I hate endings, truly, so I usually space the last chapters out over a few days, or a week if I really like it.

But this one has endured!

Location: FF.net (here)

Summary: Forced to work together when their old schoolmates start dying, Hermione & Draco must overcome their differences to solve the mysterious deaths. The tension in the office is getting rather...heated.

Rating: M

Length: 200K!

Time Period: 4 yrs Post-War

Status: Complete

Pairing: Dramione

There are some very, very sexy matures in here... Like I like it! Ahhh office relations...

I hate to give much away, but even though the smut is wonderful it reads like a tv suspense drama. We're trying to figure out what's happening, while Draco and Hermione are going through it as well as developing an intimate relationship. Wonderfully paced, and full. No wasted chapters, and always surprising! And I love love love Narcissa!

Revenge Is All The Sweeter

Last week I finished Revenge Is All The Sweeter by TwilightoMidnight! After Parade of the Sun, it was hard going back into the normal swing of things, testing fics, picking through the bulk for a nicely written one...

Any fic that I actually work my way through deserves commending for grammar, punctuation, and good writing. Rave reviews come from a thick plot that makes me think and gets me excited. Although this one is fairly typical, it wasn't bad, and I did enjoy it!

Location: FF.net

Summary: A marriage law has come to pass; an unfaithful boyfriend has been caught and an enemy has been chosen. Draco and Hermione discover the fine line between love and hate.

No listed warnings

Rating: M

Length: Novel Length

Time Period: Post War

Status: Complete

Pairing: Dramione

*2nd Place in the Dramione Awards for Action/Adventure, Best Draco

I always have fics that I go back to after reading something thwarting or riveting, or overly bizarre. Those are usually my favorites that I could read over and over again and never get tired of them. But every once in a while, I just need a certain type of fic to buffer between huge novel fics. Those with a common story line, and a well known plot. Like Marriage Law.

What usually carries through most Marriage Law fics is that Hermione (or the woman) has multiple suitors or is being forced into the coupling against her will. The richest, most detestable match (in her opinion) is set to catch her, and they spend a while hating one another, but then the spark ignites and they spend a load of time sexing. And then all is well. (End story).

This one had a nice little twist. I have to say, what drives this fic is the animosity towards Ron. I really don't like him as a character, and that just helped me right along! But many other things just didn't click for me as important, and I didn't feel like they were executed well. Mainly because I didn't know what was happening in most parts until the very end of the fic.

Some may call that suspense, but for me, it's just unfinished business that has to be tied up hastily at the end.

That being said, this is a very good FF.net fic. It's good for the masses, (hails 3300 reviews) and is great for an intro into Marriage Law. It's nicely written, and easy. And also introduces an OC Dolohov, which was very interesting! I wont rate this one, but it's definitely worth the read!

Parade of the Sun

I just finished quite possibly the best epic fanfiction I have ever, EVER, read in my years as an addict. Everything I was reading prior to opening this story really just dissolved in comparison, and I've stayed up nearly all night for the past week just absorbing all of the mystery and adventure and... Parade of the Sun is in it's own category of brilliance!

Location: Livejournal

Summary: Floralis Fati is a plant with the power to control time, hidden in the wild, and protected by a magic that strips people of their own while seeking to kill them. Hermione wants it to save the world. Draco wants it to save himself. Sometimes what we want can destroy us -- and sometimes it can build us new again.

Warnings: Sex, violence, cursing, EWE

Rating: NC-17

Length: Novel Length

Time Period: Post War

Status: Complete

Pairing: Dramione

If I were to elaborate much, I'd start giving things away... It's that good. There's so much to it, so many emotions, so many events. It never stops, and everything matters. No loose ends, no wasted space, just honesty, and comedy, and pain... Every emotion, every motion is illustrated to the fullest. I've never read anything this refined...

Props to everythursday, and the most amazing set of betas for the crazy amount of work this must've been!