FIC: The Halston Gown (NC-17)

[iulia_linnea]

Title: The Halston Gown
Type: Fic
Prompter: Anonymous
Creator: prolurk
Beta(s): canis domina
Rating: NC-17
(Highlight to View) Warning(s): For non-thematic sexually harassing and biphobic behavior/dialogue.
(Highlight to View) Prompt: One of them has finally decided to propose.
Summary: Ten years after the War, Hogwarts' new DADA Professor, who used to be

Comments

[iulia_linnea]

One could view this as an example of in medias res and move along, pleased with what one has read, but I do not wish to. Where is the rest of this story? Link me. I want to read all of it immediately. (But next year if you return, please write something in a universe you've created just for the fest.)

All that said, I enjoyed the banter between characters, the ease of their relationships, Anthony's concern over the homophobic overtones of the prank (which mirrored mine), Luna, and the way Hermione and Severus interact (particularly with regard to his jealous tendencies, which are often overlooked in fic)-their established relationship resonates with me.

But what you do best of all, I feel, is weave your ensemble cast's lives together with an effortlessness that I don't often see, which draws me into your world quite strongly-so where is it? Link me!

[reynardo]

The dress - I want to see the dress! And what a way to get Severus to the dance. But yes, the aftermath, the feeling that "this is lovely and that's what normal is" was special. Nicely done, MA.

[madeleone]

I loved this, dear MA.

I especially enjoyed all the little snippets of conversations throughout the story. At Madame Malkins: "What do you wear under that?" marveled the shop assistant.

"Perfume" said Mme Malkin.

Luna's observation about The Halston Gown : Hermione inspected the dress critically in the mirror. "It's a little short, I think. And can you bring up the vee?" She pulled the edges of the neckline over her scar.

"No" said Luna firmly.

"But..."

"I know. You always want to keep that covered, but after all the speculation that you've left the Aurors because you're too delicate a flower to take the job, the sight of that is the only rebuttal you need."

But my favorite of all was Narcissa's: She leaned in to her husband. "When the time comes," she murmured in his ear, "remind me that this was the night I predicted that Severus has met his match." and Lucius' thoughts in regards to his wife's insights :.... he wondered what would have happened to Voldemort's ambitions if he'd listened to a different Black sister. Not for

[q_drew]

I think this is our first instance of a darker shade of Hermione in the fest, and even perhaps the Wizarding world in general with some of the comments made by your supporting cast. Such as: “Can't believe there's a bird or a bloke who can resist his fatal charms!" And he laughed until he cried; "He never outgrew that?" [Snape] added, smirking; and Severus couldn't resist. "Apparently, it's come out that Cormac McLaggen is bisexual." Hermione looked stunned at that. "There was a time", Minerva said sternly, "when such things weren't discussed in polite company. But, really? You don't say!" Hermione held Severus' gaze until he tweaked an eyebrow at her. Her eyes slid over to Harry and Ron and she started to look rather sly. "I see," she said. "How inconvenient for him." And then she grinned.Hermione was once a victim of Skeeter’s red pen in regards to her love life and I’m surprised she didn’t empathize with how Cormac was being treated or rudely talked about in regards to biphobia/homophobia. Certainly she’d remember how awful it

[iulia_linnea]

Hermione's canonical dislike of Cormac may explain why she overlooks his ill treatment here; yes, she's a crusader, but it makes some sense that, as she gets older, she might be human enough to stop taking on every cause, particularly when the butt of the joke is someone who didn't doesn't treat her with respect-and who in fact puts his hands on her without her consent in this very story, dragging her onto the dance floor and pawing at her. His behavior might also go a long way to understanding hers

[q_drew]

I didn’t expect a response to this comment at all, so I appreciate that you took the time to write me one! Modding is serious business, and with a quick skim I see you’ve been busy below - I admit, I am too much of a scaredy cat to read through all the comments simply because I don’t like conflict

[iulia_linnea]

I really appreciate your taking the time to respond so thoughtfully, and your contribution is part of why I've added, in consultation with M.A., a warning to this story. Thank you for participating in the discussion, and forgive me for not taking you point for point in my reply, but I haven't actually slept and must finish up some modding duties and go do that before I fall down.

[ladyheliotrope]

Summed up my feelings perfectly @Q. I, uh, found the biphobia to be very uncomfortable here. Disappointed mods didn't tag it.

[iulia_linnea]

Why? Do you want me to play nanny to a group of adults capable of expressing their concerns to one another? Or would you prefer to hide in virtual, walled gardens where nothing ever challenges you because you are constantly reading the same story told ever so slightly differently?

Biphobia is of particular concern to me, but it does exist and is sometimes represented in fiction. That is jarring when it doesn't mesh with one's personal characterization, but it does provide an opportunity for discussion. Please feel free to engage the author in a productive manner if you like.

[blackcoffee13]

Yes. Biphobia does exist in both the real world and in the fictional world. However, we should have the right to not engage with it in the fictional world if we so choose. All the two above were asking is that it had been tagged so they would've been better prepared when they started to read the story.
They're speaking out, but perhaps others aren't because they're worried about the repercussions? Your reaction to a perfectly sensible request makes me think that they're concerns are valid.

[iulia_linnea]

There is no way to warn for everything that might trigger, which is why I make no provision for content restriction; a public fest open to adults, this isn't a safe space but one for engaging each others' ideas.