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Tweak says, "Pirates Rule!"

hdcup_mod (hdcup_mod) wrote in hd_worldcup,
@ 2008-04-22 07:50:00

Entry tags:

fic, pg-13, prompt: death, round i, team ewe

Beneath Boundless Skies - Team EWE
Title: Beneath Boundless Skies
Team: EWE
Author: blamebrampton
Prompt: Death
Wordcount: 29,800
Rating: M
Warnings: Character death (not H/D), homosexual activities, rampant Australianisms
Summary: The end of one journey is the start of another. No matter how hard it is, nor how long it takes you to make the first step.
Author's Note: Many thanks to my betas, the lovely team EWE and the mods for running the fest. And to everyone who has ever danced in the face of death.

Beneath Boundless Skies

Poll #1467
Open to: All, results viewable to: None

Is the author/artist true to their team? Yes/No vote ("yes" is worth 2 points, "no" is worth 0)

How well did the author/artist use their Prompt? 1 to 9 (1 being the least)

How much did you like this story/art overall? 1 to 9 (1 being the least)

For a description of teams, please see our FAQ.

(Post a new comment)

	red_day_dawning 2008-04-22 02:34 pm UTC (link)
	I love this - it's wonderful. I love it all - the sorrows and the joy, and the Australian background. You've even captured the heart-stopping beauty of the huge Australian sky! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 12:19 am UTC (link)
	Thanks so much for your comment. The sky was one of the first things that I fell in love with in Australia; I kept walking around saying "Wow! Look!" and people looked at me as though I was a lunatic. That last part still happens, BTW ;-) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	fodirteg 2008-04-22 08:02 pm UTC (link)
	I really like your vision of what happens next. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 12:20 am UTC (link)
	Thank you, I really like your icon! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	lilithilien 2008-04-22 09:01 pm UTC (link)
	This story could be an ad for the Australian tourist agency -- I'm this close to booking a flight right now. I love the magical world you've created here, so far away from all the sorrow in England but still with their own concerns and values. It's an incredible setting where it makes sense for Harry and Draco to start again. (Reply to this) (Thread)

blamebrampton
2008-06-01 12:23 am UTC (link)

Heh! Well, I came over for a short visit many years ago and am still here ... but yes, I wanted to look at them in a wholly different way and the only way that I could do that was to take them out of their context. Plonking them into one where the magic is in the landscape seemed natural -- and why should they be the only English boys who fail to visit Bondi for their gap year (sadly, I ran out of time to write that actual scene).

Thanks so much for your comment!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

goddessriss
2008-04-22 10:32 pm UTC (link)

What a wonderful story. I'm sure I know who you are, mystery author! This is lovely; the dialogue is a treat. The descriptions of the funerals are so moving. I could see Australia, you described it so vividly! Harry and Draco's journey towards friendship and love is very believable; that and the supporting cast of characters has made this one of my favourite stories so far. Not a terribly coherent or well-thought out review, I know, but I am full of love for this story. Cheers mate!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 12:25 am UTC (link)
	Thanks, you! I suspect you may have been right in your suspicions ... So glad you liked the funerals. I angsted over leaving them in becase I knew that a lot of younger readers would be "Get to the Draco already!" but to me it was very important to cover that ground first. And the OCs were a hell of a lot of fun to write! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

goddessriss
2008-06-01 06:08 am UTC (link)

I was indeed. I had it saved in my Brammers Fic folder as soon as I'd read it! Apart from your writing style, your give-away was the thank you notes. Manners maketh the man. I shall try and spot your AS/S Fest fic next, as you seem to be the only guess I have any success with!

It was good to see a continuation of DH that seemed so real. I think the H/D relationship that evolved was more natural for the wait. I particularly liked Sharon and her snake, Jon and his Environmental magic and my personal favourite, Leanne, with her "Big hands, if you know what I mean..." I normally can't get away with new characters, but these were very real and not at all Mary Sue-ish.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	eynhashofet 2008-04-23 12:10 am UTC (link)
	Well I definitely know who wrote this! This is absolutely one of the finest stories I have ever had the good fortune to read. I wondered if the whole thing with Ginny wasn't a bit of a stretch for me, but in the end it all just worked. Thanks for sharing this amazing story with all of us. Bubba (Reply to this) (Thread)

blamebrampton
2008-06-01 12:28 am UTC (link)

Ha! I am so predictable ... Cheers, Bubba, your comment made me smile so much when I read it.

And you are quite right about the Ginny section, I had a plan to rewrite it before submission (it was one of the early parts I wrote and left a bit sketchy), but I ran out of time. I'll tweak it before posting on my LJ; similar reasoning but more sane. I've just realised that I never introduced either of the boys to Vegemite ...

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	fandomlurker 2008-04-23 07:43 am UTC (link)
	Nice. I truly believe Harry should leave home to get away from the craziness of his name. I really liked how the boys' friendship developed. And I really loved that Harry wrote a letter to Riddle. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 01:23 am UTC (link)
	I agree! ;-) It was a surprise to me that Harry wrote to Riddle, but partway through that scene I realised that if Harry was letting go, there were some memories he actually wanted to get rid of. Thanks so much for your comment! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ice_is_blue 2008-04-23 08:38 am UTC (link)
	That was exceptionally well done. Others have come close, but you got my first perfect score of the fest. Words are failing me right now and I'm still mopping a bit at my eyes, but the dialogue, narration, storyline, and your portrayal of the characters were just beautiful. Thank you for creating such a touching and rewarding read. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 01:29 am UTC (link)
	Thank you so much, Ice. I'm so pleased that it worked for you the way I wanted it to. Your comment made me do a little dance, I am slightly ashamed to say; not for the perfect score, but for the fact that it touched you. Apparently I am a bad person who likes to make others cry. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ice_is_blue 2008-06-01 04:27 pm UTC (link)
	Dance away, dearie. You've more than earned it. :D (Reply to this) (Parent)

twistedmiracle
2008-04-23 03:46 pm UTC (link)

holy shit, that was fabulous and gorgeous and positively wonderful. i was laughing and crying at the same time, primarily during george's eulogy at fred's funeral, but much of the rest had me laughing or crying.

i would love to make a very complete and detailed review now, listing everything you did right and every part that thrilled me, but i'm too overwhelmed and amazed right now. just trust me that i loved it.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 01:39 am UTC (link)
	I should feel terrible about making you cry, but there were things I thought we ought to have been able to have a good cry about at the end of DH that I wanted to touch on here, so I'm actually glad. I realise this makes me a horrible person, so I point to the laughs for balance! Thanks so much for your comments, I am so happy that this story worked for you. (Reply to this) (Parent)

anabellhenry
2008-04-23 08:30 pm UTC (link)

I didn't want it to end- ever!!! Through out the story I found myself wondering why they'd ever leave. I wouldn't have; I'm absolutely sold on magical education Down Under.

In any case, heaps of praise for side-stepping the H&D cliches with subtle originality and giving us a brand new classic. (Rather an oxymoron, please forgive.) Also, thank you for some wonderful original characters and a refreshing dimension to Hannah Abbott. I was transported.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

blamebrampton
2008-06-01 02:21 am UTC (link)

Thank you so much! (In my head you're beautiful flower lady, BTW, your images constantly cheer me up.)

When I first thought about moving H/D to Australia, I dismissed it as a moment of madness, but then I thought longer and realised that not only did they deserve a gap year, but that in terms of letting them break out of established habits, it could work. I was so grateful for the generosity of readers in going along with it!

If you happen to be in Sydney while I am still here, I will happily take you down to where all the best waratahs and flannel flowers grow!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

meredyth_13
2008-04-24 08:20 am UTC (link)

Dear writer - thank you. I have tears running silently down my cheeks as I write this. True post-war, day after and beyond fics have been few and far between in my world, and this definitely is wonderful. It's detailed and balanced and human. I'm sure part of my deep joy in this story is because of its familiarity- being an Aussie this feels like home to me (and if you're not actually an Aussie, then you get super extra credits for writing like one). But this story isn't about being an Aussie story, that's just a setting that works brilliantly in this context - the heart of this story is that it's honestly about Harry and Draco; who they were, who they've become, and who they might yet be, both as individuals, and together - and that's feeling very rare lately.

I simply love how this story feels - it's solid and real and grounded. It's canon extended and made malleable, but still recognisably canon. You treat the characters like people, and that is so very dear to my heart.

You let them become friends in a natural, calm way, and still be who they are. You let them become more because it simply works. It feels right and it is right. You've created beautiful new people, and a wonderful setting, and damn if I don't take a drive down past Robertson and beyond next time I'm up that way - I will find that university, Muggle though I may be.

This has gone straight into my keeper file - Thank you!

(Reply to this) (Thread)

blamebrampton
2008-06-01 02:29 am UTC (link)

Oh Ms M, I felt bad about making you cry, but I also did a little dance of joy (especially since I accidentally appalled a Melburnian over at lj with this story, I suddenly worried that all of my appropriated Australianisms were way off!)

I laughed at the bit where you gave extra points if I was not an Aussie; sort of half and half. I have been here for such a long time but then there are days when I look about and just gape. Usually over sport ... But I was so happy that you 'got' the bit that it could have been anywhere out of England; they just needed to escape and find each other.

And you've reminded me that I need to go to Robertson and do a potato run (they have the best range in NSW!)

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

meredyth_13
2008-06-01 08:52 pm UTC (link)

R2D2, It IS you, it IS you...

*glomps*

Oh, I was so hoping this was yours - it felt like it should be, and it was one of the only fics that I got a definite sense of that with -but then I never have faith in my own judgement on these things, so I just hoped.

My tears were all happy ones, I assure you, and for that no apology is necessary, because I thank you SO much for them. Your story made me so happy. And honestly, some days I gape too. But yes, the joy was that it didn't have to be an Aussie story, it WAS just a setting, but in being set here, it had that extra layer of comfort and familiarity. Because your Harry and Draco were familiar, and so was their setting - and it was like a big warm cuddly blanket of H/D goodness.

Oooh, potatoes.. I'm going to be up that way near the end of August - staying with a friend in Bowral, but going over to the 'Gong because the sister in law has organised a sky dive for my brother's 40th - so we get to stand on a beach and hopefully watch him parachute safely to earth. I told her to put the ticket in a bowl of petunias and include a stuffed whale. >.>

But back to the wonderful fic.. oh hell, I've run out of things to say. I loved it. Truly- that deep, heartfelt, glorious satisfaction of a fic well read. *hugs*

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	florida_minxie 2008-04-24 06:10 pm UTC (link)
	contented sigh What a wonderful, well-played tale. You had me from the beginning and kept me the entire way! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 02:30 am UTC (link)
	Thank you so much, your comment brought a great big smile to my face! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	shyfoxling 2008-04-24 08:17 pm UTC (link)
	Amazing. I am usually skeptical of stories set way outside of the UK unless it's played for humour, but you got me here. Even the OCs are good, possibly because they're mostly background. So how is the Thai food in Oz? ;) (Reply to this) (Thread)

blamebrampton
2008-06-01 02:46 am UTC (link)

Thanks, you! I was just thinking of you earlier, since I am sneaking a Snape into the background of another fest fic.

The Thai food is excellent in Sydney and surrounding cities, not so great in Melbourne, and woeful in most regional areas, though brilliant in Darwin. Should you ever find yourself in Sydney and wanting Thai, go to King St Newtown, close your eyes and point. Follow your finger and you will find somewhere good.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	shyfoxling 2008-06-01 03:17 am UTC (link)
	I was just thinking of you earlier, since I am sneaking a Snape into the background of another fest fic. You thought of me specifically because you were writing a Severus? ...am I that predictable? ;) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 03:19 am UTC (link)
	More because I had an almost irresistible urge to have Harry say "Snape's alive? Is that who those care and feeding instructions were for?!" (Reply to this) (Parent)

	leela_cat 2008-04-25 09:50 pm UTC (link)
	There was so much to love about this story. You drew me in and carried me the whole way through. The scenes before the end, where they learn to let go of their ghosts was lovely. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 03:25 am UTC (link)
	Thank you very much for your comment, it was a lovely treat to read! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	hptwilight429 2008-05-04 04:05 pm UTC (link)
	This was fantastic! The changes in their relationship were done so well. And I loved Hannah...she was perfect in this. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 03:34 am UTC (link)
	Thanks so much for your comment. I always wondered what had happened to Hannah once she left Hogwarts, and then, as soon as I had the vague idea of sending the boys to Australia, there she was! Her Hufflepuffian combination of peacemaking and trickery seemed very natural to her, I wish we had more canonical ideas of that house! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	hptwilight429 2008-06-01 10:32 pm UTC (link)
	I agree completely! And such a perfect use for a character, and a great way to use a minor part of canon in a fic. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ships_harry 2008-05-13 02:34 am UTC (link)
	Three big cheers, right now, for the Colonies/Antipodes showing up in any form :D. Even if it is across the ditch, it's still bloody awesome to see this hemisphere in a story this good! I couldn't stop reading, and even though the ending was perfectly placed and perfectly done, I wanted it to keep going just to have more of it :). Loved this. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 03:37 am UTC (link)
	Hello Kiwi! (Years after moving to Sydney from London I finally made it to NZ, since then (2004), I have not been able to stay away. Gorgeous place!) I have a terrible feeling I will write more in this world later in the year ... Thanks so much for letting me know, I am hugely glad that you enjoyed it! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	ciraarana 2008-05-24 01:12 pm UTC (link)
	I'm sorry I only found time to read this after the worldcup was over. I'd like to vote for you. Pity. But I can comment. Just a short comment for a long, wonderful story: I laughed and I cried and I added this to my memories. Thank you for writing and sharing. And Australia! Whoohoo! ^-^ (Reply to this) (Thread)

	blamebrampton 2008-06-01 03:38 am UTC (link)
	Eh, points schmoints, I'm just thrilled you enjoyed it! And of course Australia, where else do British boys go for a gap year? (Reply to this) (Parent)