It took me--and Blogger a while.

But I'm back! And with new content! Thanks to a new series of fanblogs on Tumblr, and the greatness that has become Hawthorne & Vine, I'm here again to give in-depth reviews (yet surprisingly sans spoilers) of my favorite fics. Look for Dramione, Lumione, and a few random but amazing pairings. I will never post anything that I dislike and don't highly recommend. Do you wonder why this site isn't exclusive to Dramione, hence the name? With the rate that I read, and the fact that I tend to stick to completed fics, I'd run out of stories in a few months! I'm always taking suggestions. Want me to review something? Have a favorite you want posted or mentioned? Comment and I'll get on that straightaway! ~Fanfiction is my life.

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.

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!