FIC: "Holding Out for..." by lash_larue, Dudley/Lavender, PG-13

[dudley_mod]

Title:"Holding Out for..."
Author/Artist: lash_larue
Prompt: 1 submitted by katmarajade:
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds? - Basically the whole Bonnie Tyler song.
Pairing, or gen: Dudley/Lavender
Rating: PG13
Warning(s): Some violence (including attempted sexual assault) and

Comments

[katmarajade]

Awww! This was lovely. I can't help but adoring this pairing. I admit it's one of my favorite Dudley pairs! And I liked how your Lavender worked through her problems. She didn't trivialize the pain and trouble she experienced but she also took risks and was really brave.

I liked Dudley as a pro boxer and how the police officer knew that if Dudley hit someone, they were going to need an ambulance. And I liked that Harry kept a phone for Dudley to keep in touch.

You really touched on second chances for both of these two and I enjoyed it a lot. :) The bit about the veil at the end was a great way to wrap it up. Yay for Hero!Dudley!

[lash_larue]

Thanks, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

My apologies to everyone for the inadequate warnings on this story, and my thanks to the Mods for fixing it.

L

[felaine]

O I love this so much.
Love that Ginny got over Dudley's meanness as a kid slower than Harry. Also Duds using fighting for good, and being involved with the police and teaching.
The slow and sweet romance between the two was lovely.
Good work.

[lash_larue]

Thank you, I figured Ginny could hold a grudge pretty well.

I'm pleased that you enjoyed it.

L

[songquake]

Thanks again for such a heartfelt submission, lash_larue!

There are several things I absolutely love about this piece. I love the tension between Lavender who needs to be rescued and Lavender who can take care of her own damn self--that she's not forever a damsel in distress, that both she and Dudley know she'd have been fine if she hadn't been separated from her wand, and that she totally kicks ass in self-defense class.

I love how Ginny isn't so forgiving of Dudley until she's seen proof that he's changed; I think that very often it's harder to forgive the people who hurt those we love than it is to forgive the people who've hurt us.

I also think that it's absolutely plausible that Lavender would be even more traumatized by the attack by Muggle men who make reference to her werewolf scars--and I think there's a really interesting quiet parallel between the werewolf bite and the potential bite of rape here.

Great characterizations, overall (even awkward!Harry). Thanks!

[lash_larue]

My thanks, I'm happy all of that came through for you.

I figured that after what he'd been through that Dudley would have learned better than his parents that it's what's inside that counts.
L

[wwmrsweasleydo]

I absolutely love this story! I was damp-eyed at several points. The opening is scary enough to make Dudley's action heroic, and Lavender's need for recovery very real. I like that you then go on to show a balance with good, caring, effective Muggles as well as the assailants, and sensitive decent men as well

[lash_larue]

Thank you, I'm so happy that it worked for you!
L

Worked brilliantly, actually.

[wemyss]

Well done.

Re: Worked brilliantly, actually.

[lash_larue]

My thanks.

Glad you liked it,
L