It took me a long while to read this (RL circumstances plus I read sloowwwww) and I had to go back a few lines each time I came back to have another go because the structure just confused me. I think that maybe if I could read it in one go I'd enjoy it better, but in reality I almost couldn't make out those two parallel stories... it felt like I was reading three different stories, actually: the story of that night, the history of their relationship and Poppy's present thoughts. Too much information in very short sentences/paragraphs - so I got lost. Towards the second half, though, where they discuss the future, the paragraphs became longer and I finally managed to follow the story. I'm not saying it was written badly or anything, please understand; I think it was as sharp and clever and touching and accurate as your other stories, but I had a hard time digesting this one.
I don't know Poppy enough (JKR doesn't give us too much to work with) so I can't tell if this could have ever happened, but I'm sure that if at all, then she'd probably have been as distressed about the whole affair as you make her.
Your Narcissa is exactly how I can imagine her as a teenager: 100% Slytherin. The Narcissa books 6 and 7 show is exactly the same mix of vulnerability, arrogance, confidence, casual gestures, sense of family duty, careful plotting and blatant lies. I think you captured her perfectly.
The story left me feeling for Poppy. Maybe she was abusing her position, but I think she is still a victim of calculated manipulation. My only consolation is that it's Narcissa's last year and soon it'll all be over.
(Again, had more to say than can express in English... sorry.) tt.
I don't know Poppy enough (JKR doesn't give us too much to work with) so I can't tell if this could have ever happened, but I'm sure that if at all, then she'd probably have been as distressed about the whole affair as you make her.
Your Narcissa is exactly how I can imagine her as a teenager: 100% Slytherin. The Narcissa books 6 and 7 show is exactly the same mix of vulnerability, arrogance, confidence, casual gestures, sense of family duty, careful plotting and blatant lies. I think you captured her perfectly.
The story left me feeling for Poppy. Maybe she was abusing her position, but I think she is still a victim of calculated manipulation. My only consolation is that it's Narcissa's last year and soon it'll all be over.
(Again, had more to say than can express in English... sorry.)
tt.