The Marketing Blues aka Motivation, Where Art Thou?

The Marketing Blues aka Motivation, Where Art Thou?

I have to admit that I am finding it hard to get back in the swing of things now the holiday season is out of the way. It's been so nice not having to do anything to do with books and marketing for a while that I found myself staring at my twitter this morning wondering why I was bothering.

Logically I know why I'm bothering, but a big part of me just wants to eat chocolate and watch TV :).

It's not the writing part that is the problem - I have ideas coming out of my ears, its the whole trying to convince people to buy things that has me wistfully thinking of the relaxing days between Christmas and New Year. Truth be told, I hate marketing. It's not why I signed up to be an author, it just happens to be an integral part of the job these days.

Unfortunately its very necessary.

So now I must kick my posterior into gear and jump back on the horsey, as it were.

It's time to set my alarms that tell me what to do when. They were working really well last year until Windows updated and broke the application on my PC. They wold go off an hour out and then refuse to be turned off. Most off putting. I shall put them in my phone this time ... hopefully that won't decide to go bonkers as well :).

To all those with similar marketing blues, I wish you much luck (because we all know one retweet or one share in the right place can make all the difference :)) and the perseverance to march into the new year strong, with a smile on your face.

We can do this!

Do you have any tips to keep the motivation high and the marketing blues in the background? For that matter, any marketing tips that have worked for you?

~*~

As promised the 2nd chapter of my new Harry Potter fanfiction was published yesterday, but I totally forgot to mention it here - please forgive me.

Defence, Pretence, Offence
Chapter 02/70 - Introductions 
by Beren (aka Tasha)

Summary: The threat of open war in on the horizon. The Order and the Ministry are of one accord and both know that where Harry Potter is, Voldemort will eventually be. Preparations are being made and this time the side of the light will not be caught unawares.

Summer classes, sabotage, revelations about Draco's father, teaching and the final showdown with Voldemort all await Harry and Draco in this exciting sequel to Gold Tinted Spectacles (LJ | AO3 | Wattpad).

Warnings: This story is canon compliant until the end of Order of the Phoenix and then goes AU. None of the HBP or Deathly Hallows plot will be used, or the Horcruxes for that matter since this story was planned before we knew the details about those things, and hence has it's own fanon. This includes birthdays and other information that have since been revealed on Pottermore and in further productions.

Links to CH02: LJ | DW | AO3 | Wattpad
Link to other parts: LJ | DW | AO3 | Wattpad 

New chapters will be posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Defence, Pretence, Offence, Ch01 (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, NC17) #Fanfiction

So most of you know me for my original fic, but I started out writing fanfiction and one of my first was an epic fic called Gold Tinted Spectacles. I published it back in 2003 and people have been waiting for the sequel, which I started writing ever since. Well I finally finished it :D. This is chapter 1.

Title: Defence, Pretence, Offence - Chapter 01 - Brighter Mornings
Author: Beren (aka Tasha)
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: This story is canon compliant until the end of Order of the Phoenix and then goes AU. None of the HBP or Deathly Hallows plot will be used, or the Horcruxes for that matter since this story was planned before we knew the details about those things, and hence has it's own fanon. This includes birthdays and other information that have since been revealed on Pottermore and in further productions.
Summary: The threat of open war in on the horizon. The Order and the Ministry are of one accord and both know that where Harry Potter is, Voldemort will eventually be. Preparations are being made and this time the side of the light will not be caught unawares.
Summer classes, sabotage, revelations about Draco's father, teaching and the final showdown with Voldemort all await Harry and Draco in this exciting sequel to Gold Tinted Spectacles (LJ | AO3 | Wattpad).
Author's Notes: This is the second story in the Hecatemae universe. It starts up just after the end of the first instalment and I advice reading that one first so you understand the premise. Thanks go to my sister Sophie for the beta reading.
It has taken me 12 years to finally get around to finishing this, I very much hope everyone enjoys it.
Links to CH01: LJ | DW | AO3 | Wattpad
Link to other parts: LJ | DW | AO3 | Wattpad

New chapters will be posted every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except week1 when it will be Sunday, Wednesday and Friday).

Advent23 - Aftermath & Advent24 - From Here (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG13) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 23 & 24 of Advent and my drabbles today conclude the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 23 & 24

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG13 & PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

Aftermath (Advent Drabble 23)

Somewhere along the line Harry forgot how to think. When his brain finally came back online his fist had teeth marks from where he had been trying to keep quiet. He could be very loud if he wasn't careful.

"Back with me, Potter?" Draco asked with a superior smirk.

Given that Draco was just putting away his wand, Harry had to assume there was no longer any evidence of their liaison to be found. It was scary how good they both were at that.

"Wow," Harry said, feeling it was safest not to try for complex.

Draco smiled even wider.

From Here (Advent (Double) Drabble 24)

"So what now?" Harry asked.

Draco liked the fact Harry seemed willing to defer to him in pureblood matters; it showed a willingness to learn he had entirely missed in his rival at school.

"How about we do this properly where people can see?" Draco suggested. "I know this lovely little restaurant, public, but not too public, and I'll bring a ring this time."

"A ring?"

"Well it is an engagement."

"Do I get to give you one as well?"

"It you would like, but not immediately, you're not supposed to know, remember?"

Sometimes he despaired of Gryffindors, although Harry looked very pleased at the thought of giving him a ring, so he couldn't be too scathing.

"What kind of ring is suitable?"

Harry looked adorably worried all of a sudden.

"I'll owl you the details," Draco told him, smiling fondly.

He was so gone it was silly. Astoria was most likely going to laugh at him for taking this long to realise what he had been working up to.

"Of course we really should return to the office Christmas party first," Draco pointed out. "Pretend you've had too much punch to explain that even-more-dazed-than-usual expression."

Harry just kissed him.

Link to all parts

And since this is probably the last time I will have a chance to be online before the 26th
Merry Christmas one and All

Advent22 - Bribery and Corruption (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG13) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 22 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 22

Bribery and Corruption (Advent Drabble 22)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

There was a gleam in Draco's eye as he stepped up to Harry. Harry felt a renewed thrill run through his body and centre on his nether regions; he was very familiar with what that particular gleam meant.

"Well I was just going to shove my hand down your pants," Draco said, licking his lips, "but if it's bribery you want, I can think of some much more interesting things."

The way Draco smiled had all the blood leaving Harry's brain.

"How about I prove how serious I am? Would you like that Harry?"

Draco sank gracefully to his knees.

Link to all parts

Advent21 - Self-Awareness (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 21 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Happy first day of winter too. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 21

Played (Advent Drabble 21)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

If people ever found out that Draco accidentally proposed in a broom cupboard he would never hear the end of it from any of his friends. Pansy would make him pay forever.

Of course, when he considered it, there was no guarantee his friends would ever speak to him again, given who he had just asked to be his consort. That should have bothered him more than it did, but the smile on Harry's face had been distracting and the grin was more so.

If he'd known Harry had such a dirty mind he would have bagged him years ago.

Link to all parts

Advent17-20 - Revelations in a Broom Cupboard (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Today I have parts 17 - 20 for you. Sorry most of them are late. I didn't have much chance to post over the weekend and then yesterday I didn't want to overshadow Patricia's cover reveal :). Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pts17-20

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

The Truth Will Out (Advent Drabble 17)

"Okay, Slytherins, I get it," Harry said at Draco's reaction. "You really think Astoria planned this?"

"Or something like this," Draco replied.

Harry let that sink in.

"Does that mean that you were getting fed up of broom cupboards and dark corners as well?"

Draco frowned and Harry was pretty sure the other wizard was mentally berating himself for letting yet more information slip out.

"I may have mentioned it a couple of time, yes," Draco finally admitted.

Harry's cheeks ached at the smile that broke over his face. Of course a Slytherin would never make the obvious first move.

Negotiations (Advent Drabble 18)

"So," Harry said when he finally managed to control the smile, "where do we go from here?"

"Well, how attached are you to your dingy little flat?" Draco asked.

"It's not dingy," Harry protested, "well not very dingy."

It had been going cheap when he needed a place near to work.

"That's doesn't answer the question."

"Not very," he admitted.

"How do you feel about the Manor?"

"I haven't seen it since ..." he didn't need to elaborate.

"It's changed a lot and my parents live abroad."

"Okay then."

"Good, would you like your own rooms or to share mine?"

The Practicalities (Advent Drabble 19)

"Um," Harry didn't really know what to say to that. "Right now?"

"Well, soon," Draco replied. "The minimum suitable engagement would be about a month because everyone will assume we've been shagging anyway. Then there's the ceremony, but you could move in straight away. You'd have to pretend to have your own rooms at first for appearances sake, but you don't have to use them if you don't want to."

Harry felt lighter than air. He still couldn't shift the stupid smile.

"Okay," he said, because he wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing.

Maybe the polish fumes were getting to him.

The Whole Truth? (Advent Drabble 20)

"We'll have to put an announcement in the papers," Draco mused and Harry could almost see the mental checklist.

"We should tell our friends and families first," Harry pointed out.

"Well, if you insist," Draco grudgingly agreed. "But you can never tell anyone about this."

Draco gestured at the broom cupboard.

"And why not?"

"It's just not dignified."

"But it is kind of funny, especially since we were basically set up by your wife."

Draco scowled.

"You can't."

"Not even Ron and Hermione?"

Draco shook his head firmly.

"What's it worth?" Harry asked and his smile morphed into a grin.

Link to all parts

Advent16 - Played (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 16 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 16

Played (Advent Drabble 16)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

"You have?" Harry looked adorably confused and Draco had to mentally kick himself again.

"My darling wife," Draco replied. "I wondered why the book on pureblood traditions was left out in the library. She told me she had been looking up the correct gifts to send for a new male heir, but had remembered while she was looking and forgot to put the book away."

He could tell Harry still wasn't following.

"It was left open at marriage traditions."

"You mean she wanted you..?" Harry trailed off.

Draco nodded.

"Why didn't she just tell you?"

Draco simply raised an eyebrow.

Link to all parts

Advent15 - What About Astoria? (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 15 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 15

What About Astoria? (Advent Drabble 15)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

"Um," Draco said. "If I was, would you say yes?"

Harry didn't bother to reply, he just grabbed Draco and dragged him into a fierce kiss.

"Just one question," he said as they broke apart, "for this to work, wouldn't Astoria have to like me as well?"

"You'd be surprised how many relationships don't require like," Draco replied, "but you don't have to worry. When I told Astoria who I was seeing, she was over the moon."

Harry had to stop and mentally assimilate that, because pureblood sensibilities took getting used to.

"Oh Merlin's balls," Draco said, "I've been played."

Link to all parts

Advent14 - Full Disclosure (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 14 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 14

Full Disclosure (Advent Drabble 14)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

Draco bit his lip.

"Well you know Astoria and I live at the Manor. She has her apartments, I have mine and we do all the things a normal married couple would do except the conjugal rights part."

He hated that he found the way Harry smirked at his turn of phrase adorable. Or maybe he didn't.

"A consort is an extra member of the family with the same position as husband or wife in a contract such as ours, but with sexual relations with one of the parties."

Harry blinked at him once.

"Draco, are you proposing to me?"

Link to all parts

Advent13 - Muggle Influences (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 13 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 13

Muggle Influences (Advent Drabble 13)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

"I've never met anyone who had a consort," Harry said and there were other pureblood traditions he had come across in his line of work that had been new to him.

"I told you, it's an old tradition. It fell out of favour thanks to Muggle influences. It never made any sense until you blurted everything about Riddle to the papers. He disapproved."

"Couldn't escape his Muggle upbringing after all." Harry commented.

"We are all products of our environment," was all Draco said.

Harry couldn't disagree, their time at Hogwarts proved that.

"So tell me all about consorts," he said.

Link to all parts

Advent11&12 Pause for Thought & The Pureblood Solution (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to days 11 & 12 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Sorry they are late, but I had a house full of guests over the weekend and haven't had a chance to get online. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 11 & 12

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

Pause for Thought (Advent Drabble 11)

Draco paused and thought about what he was doing. This was supposed to have been a game, a bit of fun, a chance to try out The Boy Who Lived And Became A Very Shaggable Man.

It wasn't.

That this solution had even come to mind told him that much.

"In the old forms there is such a thing as a consort," he finally said. "It's mostly not done now because lovers are easier, but it's still a respected tradition."

"And what does that mean exactly?" Harry asked.

Draco breathed deeply, what he was about to admit made him vulnerable.

The Pureblood Solution (Advent Drabble 12)

"Our world recognised a long time ago that not everyone was attracted to the opposite sex," Draco found the need to explain.

"Repression worked for Muggles, why not us?"

Draco glared at being interrupted.

"Because repression tends to twist a person's magic and we do not need more Dark Lords running around," he said.

"Yes, we have enough of those anyway."

It was hard to argue with that point.

"But for pureblood families, heirs are very important, so they came up with a solution: A marriage contract which is only about children and the position of consort, which definitely isn't."

Link to all parts

Advent10 - The Gravity of the Situation (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to day 9 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 10

The Gavity of the Situation (Advent Drabble 10)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

Harry couldn't help the smile that spread across his face at Draco's confession.

"Don't look so happy," Draco said, "you have no idea the gravity of what we're talking about."

"Do I get to keep you?"

"Yes."

"Then I don't care."

"But you play both sides," Draco pointed out, "you could have the wife and children and be the happy little perfect Saviour the whole of our world wants you to be. There are going to be people who won't like us at all."

"If I lived my life by what other people liked, I'd have been dead at eleven."

Link to all parts

Advent9 - To Be Sure (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to day 9 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 9

To Be Sure (Advent Drabble 9)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

Draco almost just came out and said it, but it was so huge.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like to take the easy route and settle down and marry your Weasley?" he had to ask.

Draco was surprised by the way his heart twisted when Harry thought about that.

"I love her, she loves me, but we both have too much baggage," Harry said. "We make much better friends. I could ask you the same, you could be discrete with others."

And that was the crux of it.

"Oh Merlin's balls," he said, "I don't want discrete with anyone else."

Link to all parts

Advent8 - There Is A Way (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to day 8 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 8

There Is A Way (Advent Drabble 8)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

"Official?" Harry asked.

Draco looked at him and pursed his lips.

"You are woefully ignorant."

"I know."

Harry had given up denying there were still a ridiculously large number of things he didn't understand about the Wizarding world. He and Hermione had been talking about doing something about it for all those who were Muggle raised.

"I'm gay," Draco said, "Astoria is a lesbian, we have a contract, but it is expected we will have discrete lovers; the important word being discrete. With you discrete is impossible, but there is a way; a respected, above board, pureblood way."

"I'm listening."

Link to all parts

Advent7 - Harry Is Confused (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to day 7 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 7

Harry Is Confused (Advent Drabble 7)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

"Oh, okay," Harry said as his heart broke in a way it hadn't done since he and Ginny realised what they had would be forever tainted by all the tragedy that had happened at the same time. "I'll just go then."

"What? Why?"

"Draco," he said, "I can't do this anymore. I can't pretend that we're nothing to each other."

"And I didn't say you had to."

"But..."

"What I meant was, I can't subject Astoria to the gossip. I didn't say we had to end it."

Harry was confused.

"If we do this, it will have to be official."

Link to all parts

Advent6 - Realities (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to day 6 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 6

Realities (Advent Drabble 6)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

Draco mentally kicked himself as Harry's sarcasm made him want to smile. He had never realised before their fling quite how sassy Harry could be when he wanted to.

"Merlin, we're a pair," he said and shook his head.

"Well you haven't hexed me yet," Harry said, "so I'm guessing you're not completely averse to my original suggestion."

Draco sighed.

"No, P...Harry," he corrected, "I'm not, but do you have any idea what a circus it would be out there if I so much as held your hand?"

"Do we care?"

"I can't do that to Astoria."

Harry looked devastated.

Link to all parts

Advent5 - Slytherins Are Weird (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG) #Fanfiction

Welcome to day 5 of Advent and my drabble today continues the story. Click here to see the other part.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 5

Slytherins Are Weird (Advent Drabble 5)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: Thanks to Soph for the beta.

"Draco," Harry said and his companion looked at him sharply.

It dawned on him that was the first time he had used Draco's first name out loud. They may have been having an affair, but it had always still been 'Malfoy' and 'Potter'. Apparently, Harry using Draco's first name had the same effect as Harry declaring his undying love.

Slytherins could be weird.

"You ... stupid Gryffindor ... you ..."

Harry had no idea what Draco was trying to say.

"You actually mean it."

"No, I tell everyone I'm in love with them." Harry had something of a sarcastic streak.

Link to all parts

Advent2: Conversation in a Broom Cupboard (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG13)

I made the decision, at least partly, the drabbles are going to be linked, so this is part 2 of an overall story.

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 2

Conversation in a Broom Cupboard (Advent Drabble 2)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: So I may be thinking a lot about Harry Potter at the mo :) Thank to Soph for the beta.

"I distinctly remember you saying no one could ever know," Draco said, pulling out his wand and casting Lumos so they could see properly.

"I did," Harry admitted, "but that was when I thought you were just a nice looking, well hung bloke who was good in bed."

"I am all of those things."

"Oh, and with a giant ego," Harry added.

Draco let one of his eyebrows arch.

"And then?" he asked.

"Then I went and fell in love with you."

"You what?!"

"I fell in love with you."

Draco's belly twisted in a way he was unfamiliar with.

Link to all parts

Advent1: Secret Meetings (Harry Potter, Harry/Draco, PG)

So I'm doing some fanfic drabbles for Advent. There will be 24 (hopefully) and all in the spirit of the season. I have no idea if they will all be Harry Potter yet, or if they will be different, depends how inspiration strikes :).

Drabble, n - story of exactly 100 words

Revelations in a Broom Cupboard pt 1

Secret Meeting (Advent Drabble 1)

Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warnings: canon compliant only to Deathly Hallows, EWE
Author's Notes: So I may be thinking a lot about Harry Potter at the mo :) Thank to Soph for the beta.

Harry's back hit the wall of the broom cupboard and he decided enough was enough.

"We have to stop meeting like this," he said as he broke the kiss.

"Fed up with me already?"

Draco's voice was cold.

"No, you idiot Slytherin," Harry replied, "I want us to meet out there."

"Oh."

After the war, Harry and Ginny had decided they were better friends, and Draco had a contract with Astoria to produce an heir, but that's as far as the relationship went. What Harry and Draco had, had started as a fling, but Harry knew it was more now.

Link to all parts

I Won #NaNoWriMo :)

I made my 50K total today and so I was able to validate my novel.

Defence, Pretence, Offence is actually 152,500 words at the mo, but I only wrote 50K so far this time round.

The first 10 chapters are almost ready for posting, which has me all excited. It's only taken me 12 years to be close to finishing this fanfic. I'm so looking forward to actually sharing it with everyone.

For those who have not heard the tale, I originally wrote Gold Tinted Spectacles (AO3, Watpadd), which this is the sequel to, back in 2003. I immediately started on the sequel, but stalled at approximately 50K. It has since languished in my Harry Potter folder, being looked at wistfully every now and then.

Last year I decided to dig it out for NaNo and completed another 50K, but again stalled thanks to December being completely nuts, and original work taking precedence after that.

This year I was determined to finish it. I haven't quite managed it yet, but there are only odd scenes left to write and a few things to fix, so it's nearly there :).

To everyone still racing to get to 50K before the end of the month, best of luck

 KEEP GOING - YOU CAN DO IT!