I'm late! ...And everyone's probably already said whatever I'd been planning to say... *pouts* so this might be a little repetitive, but anywho.
That was what made Harry comfortable. Seeing his friends happy. It always had. He knew them well enough to know that this sort of carefree joy did not come easily anymore; when it did make an appearance, it sent a contagious glow through the room until Harry’s spirits echoed the vibe and he felt willing to gamble with his life in order to protect it.
This harkens back to the scene of Hermione and Ron kissing in the middle of the darkness of the war... I love that this happiness can drive out whatever cold the losses and suffering may have brought. The last line of that quote is the most beautiful thing ever. The fact that Harry would be willing to lose himself to keep that happiness - it's surprisingly selfless. It makes it such a fragile balance. Because if this 'carefree joy' were to disappear, Harry would feel uncomfortable, out of place, lost, even. And just the fact that even though he might not have initiated this happiness, I love that the bond between him and his friends remains so strong that he can be immeasurably happy just to watch them. And you've written Ron and Hermione with such a radiant presence that there's no question as to why their happiness might be so contagious.
Harry had never had a sister, and certainly never a twin sister. He had no idea how it must feel to lose someone so close.
I love the way the war runs through this story like some sort of ghostly river current and that while there is an amazing transcendent happiness present as well, there are dark corners here where the past still haunts. And even though it's just the slightest detail, I love that it's Neville who is the one to comfort Padma. Because it makes so much sense. He's hurt too, and lost too, and has never seemed one to ask for anything in return. It seems fitting that he would comfort Padma, and the way she is holding onto him as if her life depended on it - that tiny detail has such a poignant connotation; You've really conveyed the way some people have been so broken by this war that they simply have to cling to others for support because otherwise they won't be able to stand on their own. There's really a sense of desperate sort of bonding and dependence, and I just adore the image of them wrapped their, curled into each other.
“Harry, pay attention. Now the step goes like this... yes, sort of, except you should let me lead, you prat, you’ve no idea what you’re doing.”
All these little details in their conversation (which is so cute and hilarious!), the way the words are slowly but surely becoming less awkward, and the fact that Draco's truly letting his guard down, allowing himself to laugh and not worry about how he's slipping out of that stoic Malfoy mold. He's letting himself be happy with Harry because he trusts him and Harry's seen him at his lowest points, so there's nothing left to hide.
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Date: 2004-12-23 07:50 am (UTC)From:That was what made Harry comfortable. Seeing his friends happy. It always had. He knew them well enough to know that this sort of carefree joy did not come easily anymore; when it did make an appearance, it sent a contagious glow through the room until Harry’s spirits echoed the vibe and he felt willing to gamble with his life in order to protect it.
This harkens back to the scene of Hermione and Ron kissing in the middle of the darkness of the war... I love that this happiness can drive out whatever cold the losses and suffering may have brought. The last line of that quote is the most beautiful thing ever. The fact that Harry would be willing to lose himself to keep that happiness - it's surprisingly selfless. It makes it such a fragile balance. Because if this 'carefree joy' were to disappear, Harry would feel uncomfortable, out of place, lost, even. And just the fact that even though he might not have initiated this happiness, I love that the bond between him and his friends remains so strong that he can be immeasurably happy just to watch them. And you've written Ron and Hermione with such a radiant presence that there's no question as to why their happiness might be so contagious.
Harry had never had a sister, and certainly never a twin sister. He had no idea how it must feel to lose someone so close.
I love the way the war runs through this story like some sort of ghostly river current and that while there is an amazing transcendent happiness present as well, there are dark corners here where the past still haunts. And even though it's just the slightest detail, I love that it's Neville who is the one to comfort Padma. Because it makes so much sense. He's hurt too, and lost too, and has never seemed one to ask for anything in return. It seems fitting that he would comfort Padma, and the way she is holding onto him as if her life depended on it - that tiny detail has such a poignant connotation; You've really conveyed the way some people have been so broken by this war that they simply have to cling to others for support because otherwise they won't be able to stand on their own. There's really a sense of desperate sort of bonding and dependence, and I just adore the image of them wrapped their, curled into each other.
“Harry, pay attention. Now the step goes like this... yes, sort of, except you should let me lead, you prat, you’ve no idea what you’re doing.”
All these little details in their conversation (which is so cute and hilarious!), the way the words are slowly but surely becoming less awkward, and the fact that Draco's truly letting his guard down, allowing himself to laugh and not worry about how he's slipping out of that stoic Malfoy mold. He's letting himself be happy with Harry because he trusts him and Harry's seen him at his lowest points, so there's nothing left to hide.