Team AU: 24. Don't count your mandrakes before they're re-potted.

[hdcup_mod]

Title: Six Years
Author: chyldofeternity
Team: AU
Prompt: 24. Don't count your mandrakes before they're re-potted.
Wordcount: 4,298
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Angst, *
character death* (highlight for spoilers).
Summary: Hermione's a new Psychiatrist at the Institute. Will she be able to help her troubled patient with his illness?
Author's Note This was a different

Comments

[smirking_muse]

Oh my. This story was haunting, beautiful, and really well-written. I was impressed with the way you catalogued Harry's Schizophrenia and Draco's devotion. I felt so badly for Draco- and I think the impression of their love was that much stronger, considering how long he hung on to Harry. I find it tragically beautiful that Draco finally got one last night with the real Harry before he relapsed and died (I almost cried at that point). I think it will take a while for the brunt of this story to fully soak in. I was touched by the story throughout (I wish I had someone to care for me enough to wait and visit for six years!) and my heart absolutely broke at the ending. You have a truly touching and gorgeous story here.

[chyldofeternity]

Thank you for your comment I really do appreciate it. This is my first time in the Worldcup so I wanted to write a really memorable piece.

Sadly, I messed up on my warnings and I may have caused some upset with readers that are not interested in reading any character death - so I am off to offer apologies and e-cookies to make up for it.

But thank you for taking the time to read my story and reply back to it - I really do appreciate the time and hope it wasn't too harsh on you.

[smirking_muse]

Absolutely not (it wasn't too harsh). I mean, I understand the need for a warning, but I wouldn't have read it with the warning, and I am very glad that I did. It's such an amazing story (I've even recced it on my journal despite that you're on an opposing team...)- I found it hauntingly poignant and I am so glad you were able to share it with us.

[chyldofeternity]

Wow! Now that's high praise from someone as well nown as you Muse! ^_^ Thanks so much for the rec - and even though we're on opposing teams I have no qualms about reading all the EWE and Epilogue fics and enjoying them to the fullest!

GO WORLDCUP! *waves a banner*

[al_hazel]

I love this, and it was a very easy read, absolutely enjoyable. It was a believable universe, easy to engage in.

The ending took my breath away.

Thank you.

[chyldofeternity]

Thank you, for taking the time to comment.

This was one of my first forays into character death - and I have to admit I prefer the fluff personally...but it wouldn't have fit with the AU prompt I think.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoy all that the Worldcup will offer!

[aldehyde]

what a beautiful story! i love how you were able to give us such a detailed look into their lives in fewer than 5k words. the ending is so heartbreaking - i was anticipating some form of relapse, but i definitely didn't expect what happened! well done.

[chyldofeternity]

Honestly, the ending took me by surprise too! Thank you for taking the time to read my entry and leave a comment! I hope you enjoy every story that comes out of the fest!

[kirinin]

This was well-done, chyld, and more than a little bit creepy. I think you've created a pretty believable reality here: you picked a disorder that tends to remain hidden until early adulthood, you provided background in terms of the Dursleys' abuse, and you have good explanations - for the most part - as to why certain people become enemies, and others, friends, in Harry's dreamworld. (I admit to surprise, however, that Harry's parents *didn't* die in a car crash!)

I've seen this basic concept done before - Hogwarts isn't real, wasn't ever real, etc - but the way you did it brings a fresh flavor to the fic. I enjoyed the see-saw from Hermione's case notes to events that happen in real-time.

It was a nice little reversal at the end, where Draco becomes the patient - but without Harry to wait for *him* for six years to recover! I think this one's going to take awhile to sink in completely. Good work: moving, thoughtful, interesting. :)

-K

[chyldofeternity]

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and leave me such a wonderful and detailed comment.

I admit that the concept is not new - I've read my fair share of AU fics as well and always find them an interesting read - but I was glad that my prompt fit it so well. As soon as I read the prompt this idea started to form in my head.

I have to admit, I'm rather blushing after your compliment at the end.I've never written something that leaves people in that state of it taking a while to sink in - but in my opinion the good things in life take work and effort, but the tragedies - sadly - hit us all too quickly when we don't expect them.

Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the fest!

[chyldofeternity]

Thank you for taking the time to read and leave me a comment, this fest needs readers like you that will give us authors honest and insightful feedback.

I also have to apologize for leaving off the Character Death warning. I, personally, am a Fluffy-fic lover (it's about all I read - which is why I love reading alaana_fair and enchanted_jae's fics! :) ) but I just didn't see how this could end happily when the story came to my mind.

I really hope that I didn't cause you too much pain, I'd hate to think of fellow shipper upset without wanting to be because of something I wrote!

Take care,

chyldofeternity

[chyldofeternity]

Lol It's funny you mention them because I proactivly stalk them and wait in secret for new fic before pouncing.

Hell, for Dyson I even toss on a cheerleading outfit and wave pompoms as I go all fanboy over her stories. >.> Er, I just lost all respect now didn't I? lol.