Chapter One of 'Hephaestus'- Beauty In the Bed

[lomonaaeren]

Title: Hephaestus
Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling and associates own these characters. I am writing this story for fun and not profit.
Pairings: Harry/Draco (present and past), past Harry/Ginny
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: Disfigured!Harry, references to torture and violence, sex, profanity. DH spoilers but ignores epilogue.
Summary: When Harry returned from

Comments

[delamna]

This is incredibly interesting, especially since ugliness tends not to be a trope in H/D fiction. I know you've written a shortish fic before where Draco was the one scarred, but whether canon or fanon it's not much of a stretch to imagine that Harry can see past that. But H/D is the slash pair of beauty, I think, and it is very interesting to have it all taken away quite so devastatingly. Especially since you tend to write Harry otherwise as attractive all the way through...

Anyway. Wheee new fic. :)

[delamna]

My own thoughts aren't far from the comment above. So I'll just say that I second that!

I can remember having read only one story in which Harry is scarred in an ugly way (and stays so) and even then it wasn't something really visible (his back, if I remember correctly). But to have him disfigured like this and going through his life with his head up, even after having Draco to turn him away, I find this really intriguing. Though, I have to admit that I find it a bit difficult to actually imagine him. You know, the volcano ashes-obsidian-sharp ridges thing. I wish I could see how you imagine it...

I hope I'm not boring you by saying this again and again, but the magic... Although this time a bit different, since it's part of the metal-dancing. But still, it's just 'wow!' as always.

It's incredible to see you starting a new story, I'll be looking forward to what's coming!

[delamna]

Hmm. I think I've read a fic where Harry had pox scars. But in any case it was a VERY AU fic with Harry being a human priest for an elvish religion and adopted by Snape and close friends with Draco who was a quarter veela and Harry was super cute with long hair and delicate features and Draco was all macho and I swear to gods Harry cried ALL the time. xx(

So, yeah. Harry gets scarred in places where his clothes can cover it up, and the Dracos he is paired with don't mind. This one can't avoid it, neither of them can ever ever pretend they're not there.

And the magic does rock, does it not? :)

[lomonaaeren]

I've read quite a few stories where Harry had scars from abuse, but somehow they never seem to make him any less attractive. And of course there's the pity factor that comes into his relationship with Draco, and he usually does cover them with clothing or glamours.

Harry's face is crumpled like gray tissue paper, except for small stretches of flat skin between the ridges.

And thank you!

[incinerapture]

I want to slap Draco. Is that good?

[incinerapture]

Dunno about Lomonaaeren, but I say: go ahead. May I have the other cheek?

[lilyjoy]

May I have the last two? XDDD
…
Sorry, but I couldn't avoid this pun!
Anyway, I hope Draco won't turn into a male version of Aphrodite: she was The Whore.

[lomonaaeren]

Well, that's an understandable reaction. :)

[aquatomfoolery]

Oh I love the premise of this fic. I've always had a fondness for fics where at least one of the main characters isn't stunningly gorgeous, it's rare to to find it in my OTP Harry/Draco.

I think you portrayed both Harry and Draco's feeling remarkably well. It would be a Harry thing to not hide from the truth of his disfigurement, and his feelings of resenment and hurt both seem very natural and true. I also personally found it easy to understand why Draco would be repulsed. It's easy to dismiss him as being "shallow," but in reality, I think most people would have difficulty adjusting if their partners suddenly became as disfigured as Harry became; at the very least I would have that same problem. It doesn't make it any less heartbreaking and it is perhaps "shallow," but I imagine it would be a very human thing to do, esp. when you're to have a physical relationship with that person.

I look forward to more updates! I don't usually read exclusively bottom!draco fics but I think I'll make an exception for this one.

[lomonaaeren]

Thank you!

I think Draco's problem is understandable. What makes it bad is that he didn't even try to see how the problem affected Harry; he just assumed that Harry had become his disfigurement, and so he didn't really have feelings anymore, he was just there for Draco to react against. Treating disabled people as if they aren't quite people is a very common problem in real life as well.

If it helps, the reason that it's bottom!draco is that there's only one sex scene. That doesn't mean their relationship is like that all the time.

[lomonaaeren]

Thank you!

Harry and Draco are really going to struggle with one another. After the latest chapter, Harry is just about convinced that Draco wants nothing to do with him, even though he's trying to forgive Draco and wants to help him still. And Draco is scared when he finds himself feeling sympathy for and some attraction to Harry.

Good luck with RL!

[lomonaaeren]

Thank you!

And yes, he is.