Catch-up

OMG! It's been a while!

Well, a while since I've posted, but I've been reading addictively as usual. I just started a new blog, Secret Slash, which showcases slash (Harry/Draco, Harry/Cedric, ...), but I've really had a hectic time with life lately.

Just terrible time with life.

But in order to keep my mind busy, and not on the impending depression looming overhead, I'm going to be on here. I've just taken up a huge responsibility in some of my other accounts, but I really have been reading, and am going to shuffle more D/Hr stories, and not just the slash and RPF. I really want to get back to rec'ing D/Hr. I read it so much, and it's still my favorite, but I've been so lazy in posting!

Puzzle Pieces

This story, Puzzle Pieces by Em North, was the perfect day fic. Of course, if I didn't have all this homework to do, I would have pounded it out in less than two hours... but that's another story.

Location: IATQO

The summary for this story is:

"All Blaise wanted was some Transfiguration tutoring. What he got instead was a whole new world."

Warnings: Slash

Rating: PG-13 to NC-17

Length: 16 chapters, 50K

Time Period: Hogwarts, 7th Year

How Good?: Really good, 8/10

And the Smut?: So sweet, but the raw kind!

Status: Complete

Pairing: Draco/Hermione/Blaise

Because of the summary, and the first few lines of this fic, I'd skipped over it time and time again. How I read it, it seemed as if Hermione and Draco had some amazing thing going on, and Blaise ended up walking into some Narnia like world to be lured into their orgy trap. Not only this, but it was in first person--one of my instant no-no's.

But for once, I stepped over all that, was seriously surprised by what I read, and quickly got over the first person tense. It not only gave me the slash, but the Hermione and Draco interaction I love so much, and the sweetness of the building of friendship. I loved this fic, so much that I doubt I'll be reading it again too much in the future, but not for lack on it's part. It's a one-time awesome for me, anything else would be reference to the effects of Belladonna and Helleborne in potions. Lol!

So nicely written and backed up with thorough definitions and legitimate arguments between Draco and Hermione... It's not everyday you read a fic which, in many ways, educates you on an imaginary subject so well that you wish it existed in real life!

I don't mean to water it down with speak of schoolwork! The smut is hot, the arrangement is just so sweet and a bit outside the box (for the traditional D/Hr, threesome reader). The reason it received the rating 8/10 was because it was so short. I mean, although things were fulfilled by the end, the author could have easily switched a few things around and expanded the fic to 20 chapters, still carrying things out the same way, yet being able to stuff in a bit more smut and D/Hr/B interaction. 

Sweet, nicely written, and convenient read!

Her Shoes

I'm back! After a long summer of work and H/D reading, I've gotten my muse back and with it, my love for Hermione. 

I have decided to start with "Her Shoes" by one of my top F-listers margaritama. I began reading this fic when it first came out much earlier in the year, but for some reason held off midway through. It is complete now, so I read it from start to finish over the past few days and was just as excited about it as the first time! 

Location: AFFN, GE

The summary for this story is:

"Draco Malfoy has demanded Hermione Granger head up an important new Wizard and Muggle venture he's funding. They'll be working at his home. Why would he do this? It's clear he can't stand her. Isn't it?"

Warnings: BDSM, Bond, M/F, Dom, Oral, SoloF, Spank

Rating: Adult ++

Length: 19 full chapters, Mid length

Time Period: Post Hogwarts, rather AU

How Good?: So, so good!

And the Smut?: Downright naughty

Status: COMPLETE

Pairing: Dramione

Ever notice how the great writers of fanfiction come up with an idea, stick to it, and manage to come out with an awesome story no matter how different it may be to other people? No matter how it starts out, or how odd or farfetched people call it? Or how many mixed reviews it gets? And to still come out on top, with EVERYONE loving it?! Margarita rolled this one out, with a standoffish and dreadfully aloof Draco and a Hermione addicted to expensive, designer shoes. And it works (out) so nicely! 

And when I say Margarita has style, I mean it. A style all her own, with witty phrasing and easily flowing reading like no other. It's fairly rare that I find a fic that can move me to tears, have me laughing out loud, and at times angry enough to write the author a big chunk of my mind about what she's done with a situation, only to have me wanting more and more and more at the end. And this was her first fic, I believe!

This story is intense, yet playful, stuffed with obsession and girlyness and heartache and sweetness. I wish I could give more detail without giving it all away, but I doubt I could. But I will say this: you won't find an easily submitting Hermione here. Sure, she might be lead by some heady attraction at times but she fights for equality, and is one of the stronger Hermione's I've ever read... and I've read alot... 

Love y'all, and I'm happy I'm back! I have another fic that I've given a shot and read today, and am ready to post my response while I'm on here!

-13Secrets

The Nymph Hunt

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

" Sometimes you're a hag in a nymph's body, and sometimes you're just a witch trying to hide the nymph in you..."

Location: FF.net, (here)

Title: The Nymph Hunt

Author: akashathekitty

Rating: T

Categories: Best Short Story, Best Draco

There were some things that I really just didn't like about this fic... But Everything else was perfect! Draco and Hermione's interaction was fun, funny, and a bit quirky. I love the idea for the costumes... I hope that wasn't a spoiler!

Pros: Wonderfully written, complete, funny, and had a certain level of predictability that comes with knowing the characters well!

Cons:... Hag?

Stone Dragons

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Sometimes there are no right decisions. There are only actions and consequences. Hermione's only choice now is who to betray. "

Location: dmhgficexchange, (here)

Title: Stone Dragons

Author: gravidy

Rating: R

Categories: Best Short Story, Best Action/Adventure, Best Heart-Wrenching Angst, Most Creative, Best Hermione

This was great... Great in that heavy, heady, emotional roller coaster kind of way. It was so well supported, with a huge backstory and so much new material that I don't believe I will ever see the worlds the same again. It could completely change the way I read HP fiction, and things related to the series... The pureblood/muggle dynamic in this really makes you think...

Pros: Thought provoking, well written, and although there is very little "happy" in this fic, it's worth it to push through the tears...

Cons: So, unfailingly sad. The D/Hr relationship is really subdued because of the amount of tragic and terrible stuff going on. 

Hydrotherapy

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"Draco finds a trip to the showers after playing Quidditch...enlightening."

Location: Pure Arrogance, (here)

Title: Hydrotherapy

Author:eilonwy

Rating: NC17

Categories: Best Short Story

Incredibly... hot, sexy, humid, and all manners of wet! This is short and steamy, romantic and I can't believe it wasn't nominated for Best Smut! I'm absolutely RAVING here!

Pros: Hot, and so very nice! No technical issues of any sort, and I wish it never ended!

Cons: Sequel, anyone?

Heaven Forbid

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominee

"She held the Muggle pregnancy test limply in her hands, and the red plus sign glared at Draco dauntingly, his very own monster come to wreak havoc in his world."

Location: dmhgficexchange, (here)

Title: Heaven Forbid

Author: empathapathique

Rating: NC-17

Categories: Best Short Story, Best Heart-Wrenching Angst, Best Draco

I just, sort of, finished this fic... I liked it, and by the authors writing ability it is clear why it was nominated. I had some problems following the story and what was going on Then and Now but I did my best to read through it. How I went about reading it was probably the source of my confusion. I couldn't read it all in one sitting, so I read a little here, and a little there, and couldn't actually follow specific issues at once... All I can say is, "my bad."

Because of my mistakes, I'll only list the Pros with this story!

Pros: Well written, planned out, and great execution of such a heavy topic (abortion). 

White Knickers

The Dramione Awards

Round 5 Nominations

"A short vignette between Draco and Hermione."

Location: LJ, (here)

Title: White Knickers

Author: Bunney/Krissy

Rating: PG, ought to be T in my book

Categories: Best One-Shot

Another awesome one-shot! This was no usual PG fic. As soon as I saw that rating, I almost immediately skipped it, but it was worth the read! There is no fluff here, and although it's sweet, you there's no beautiful story line to fall back on... I wish I could say more! Smart, sexy, yet subdued.

Pros: Amazing, in character, hot.

Cons: I wish there was more! Not that it should be longer, but I just didn't want it to end!

Companion fics!!!

White Noise: http://bunney.livejournal.com/511164.html

White Light:  http://bunney.livejournal.com/525998.html