Very interesting, Gina. The writing when he received his Dark Mark was very good, I was wincing as you described the degrees of pain he was in and really felt for Narcissa as she had to watch her son go through this. Draco seemed quite unsure about it, going through this to save the family honour - which is a very valid viewpoint - yet I did wonder if he'd have had a little more 'swagger' about being chosed to be a Death Eater. It's that Armani suit again - LOL.
I enjoyed the second half, too. The fact that he was still suffering so much after the event resonated with my picture of Draco post-battle as did his mother's despair and his father's irritation that he couldn't rise above this.
,br> Well done ~Carole~
Author's Response: Hi Carole! Thanks so much for reading this! I know I talked to you a bit about Draco, and I even toned it down again--his hesitation was a bit stronger initially. I guess I just can't see him being such a stupid, bad person at 16 that he would eagerly take the Dark Mark with some some degree of trepidation. Or maybe I just can't wrap my imagination around it enough to write him having more swagger about it, since I know I certainly wouldn't. The suit doesn't help his case, you are right, lolol. I'm glad the second part worked better, though. There's something about trying to redeem Draco among the flist, isn't there? I wonder if JKR will blow that out of the water someday and tell us he remained a prick forever. Actually, I have a story outline that is Very. Very. Bad. for Draco, but I doubt it will ever materialize, lol. Anyway - thanks so much for reading this, I appreciate the review! ~Gina :)
Before I hit the end I recognized the elements of "Uncommon Friends" woven into Part Two. I adore how you connected these two stories even though both could easily stand on their own.
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review! I really appreciate it and am glad you enjoyed this one as the 'prequel' to Uncommon Friends. I so did not set out to do that--I never even anticipated a story about Neville and Draco, yet alone a stand-alone about Draco and his Dark Mark--but they both came rather easily, so I guess it was meant to be. Thanks so much for reading them! ~Gina :)
This story was positively heart-wrenching. My goodness, I found myself gasping and holding my breath (if that makes any sense, lol) the entire time. You did a brilliant job.
Author's Response: Thank you very much! I'm glad it was effective, since there is always that chance that it's more effective for the writer than the reader, or that I just didn't get it down well enough to work. Thanks so much for reading, I appreciate the review!! ~Gina :)
This was brilliant!! Perfect as the prequel!! Fantastic job!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you came by to read this one after the other. I'm glad it fit so well - I really appreciate the lovely review! ~Gina :)
What an awful Dark Mark! Voldemort must have been really powerful to cast such magic!
I feel so bad for Draco, and I think I can understand all of his actions completely. I just hope I never get into that situation!
Great job! It is a good prequel. I especially liked how you spaced out everything. :)
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review! I'm glad you enjoyed it - and I hope you never get into that situation either. ;) ~Gina :)
