A School For Scandal

Dumbledore is gay?!!

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:23:58 GMT

Quote: At a press conference this morning in Toronto, author J.K. Rowling was asked repeatedly about the recent revelations regarding the background information on Dumbledore and the fact that she said she felt this character was gay.

I am so loving JK Rowling right now! There were certain things (especially in HBP) Dumbledore said to Harry I thought was amusing in a '*snort*-this-could-easily-be-interpreted-in-a-very-different-way'-sort of manner, but I never thought JK Rowling would seriously 'out him'. I think this is a huge deal and not only in terms of the books. Though unintentional, this might be the most influential pro-gay-acceptance initiatives ever.

Someone should send JK Rowling flowers. Seriously.

A short list of the most important things that have been going on recently:

Sun, 02 Sep 2007 10:16:10 GMT

There have been some budget problems at work, with the result that someone had to be let go. 'Someone' being me. So starting october, I'm officially unemployed. Inconveniently, I'm leaving on vacation early september, and don't get back until the end of the month.

I dropped my glasses and one of the lenses popped out. I have been able to push it back in, but I'm still going to need new ones. Gah.

I decided to shower at work this morning, so I could sleep in (getting up early on a sunday should be illegal). Stupidly, I brought two bottles of shampoo instead of shampoo and conditioner. *pouts* I don't care what people say, without conditioner it's just not the same!

I'm busy getting all my stuff in order for my vacation, because I'm leaving for Peru on Thursday. I'm looking forward to it, but I absolutely loathe packing.

I'd started writing a new Draco/Hermione fic, but abandoned it because it wasn't really going anywhere. Though, I've come up with a new idea, which I believe is quite daring. :-) I'll try my hand at it when I get back.

Went to see 'Zatôichi' last night. I'd seen it before, but not on the big screen. It's a good film, though I can see why I didn't remember much of it after watching it the first time; there are a lot of secondary characters and there's just so much going on. Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed it. The fight-scènes are realistically done (short and brutal). The funny bits were executed with a contagious flair of naivety that blends well with the tone of the rest of the film. I especially love parts where the farmers and construction workers create 'music' through the work they perform. And the dance sequence at the end is nothing short of awesome.

My only complaint is that Tadanobu Asano (who plays Hattori Genosuke, the rônin) needs more screen time, because he's just so dreamy! ;-) He's ruggedly handsome and effortlessly cool; completely crush-worthy. I first noticed him in 'Gohatto' and he became reason number 1032 for why I think that movie is fantastic. That man truly is a cross between Johnny Depp and Toshirô Mifune (and what an interesting blend that is!). *sighs dreamily*

'Rurouni Kenshin' Question

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:48:22 GMT

I sort of lost track of ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ after they stopped airing it here in Belgium 4-5 years ago, but I rediscovered the series last year. I own the first two seasons on DVD in the original Japanese version, but out of curiosity I’ve also seen several of the English-dubbed episodes on Youtube. Yesterday I was cleaning out one of my cupboards and found a couple of old VHS tapes. I put them in the tape recorder and discovered a bunch of programmes I taped around the year 2002, amongst them a few episodes of ‘Rurouni Kenshin’ in the English dub (the first four episodes of the Kyoto-arc). The strange thing is that the version I found on the tapes, although in English, is a different one and I’d like to know why it exists.

Here are several things that struck me about it:

1) Several of the characters’ names have been changed; Kenshin is known as ‘Kenshee’, Kaoru as ‘Cori’ and Yahiko as ‘Yoshi’. When first bought the DVD’s last year I did remember thinking the character names used to be different, but later on I figured I must have remembered this incorrectly. Now, strangely, it seems I was right all along.
2) Kenshin is, apparently, going to Edo (???) instead of Kyoto.
3) Saito sneezes and, instead of giving a harmless comment, the waitress calls him a pig. (?!)
4) During the famous firefly-farewell-scene, the last thing Kenshin says to Kaoru before leaving for … Edo, apparently, is: ‘Thank you Cori, thank you for everything you’ve given me. I just have to go to Edo, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you. Goodbye Cori.’(!?!?!?) Whatever happened to just saying ‘Sayonara’? And then they cut out the kanji-epilogue at the end, immediately skipping to the end credits right after Kenshin walks away (completely ruining the dramatic effect, in my opinion).
5) Most of the voice cast seems the same; however both Seta Sôjiro and Okita Sôji are clearly dubbed by a different person with a much deeper voice. Kaoru’s voice is also different, and strangely, I prefer her this way. I can’t tell if Sano’s different, but if he’s not, he did a better job in this version. As for the others; their performance is much better in the other version.
6) Also, the lines have been translated quite differently. Several times they took quite a leap from the original text, making characters say things that make them seem a bit out of sorts. For instance, the way they’re phrasing it, Kenshin suddenly seems adamant in letting his inner Battousai loose to fight Shishio, giving it a fighting chance and to see which life works best for him.
7) The translators clearly disliked silences, because they’ve also given a few characters an inner-monologue or off-screen-texts when there should be silence. (Cori? Did you hear what I said? Cori?)

I realise that if you get ten translators to translate the same passage, you end up with ten different texts (although having Kenshin say ‘I love you’ to Kaoru seems a bit of a stretch to me). Even so, I’ve noticed that the manga, the Japanese DVD with Dutch subtitles and the English dub on youtube seem to have a translation that mostly corresponds with each other, so I’m tempted to consider the interpretation they’ve offered me as correct.

I don’t understand why would they go to the trouble to write an alternate translation, change the names of a few characters and enlist the same voice-actors (save for a few) to do the same job twice? Perhaps the translators eventually realised their mistakes, wanted a second chance and tried to stick to the original script? But if this were so, then I don’t understand why they had the inferior version shipped to other countries.

Has anyone seen the series in this version or could possibly explain to me why it exists?

The End of an Era

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:17:35 GMT

(‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows’ rant (plus spoilers) below the LJ-cut. )

It could easily have gone awfully wrong. The world had immeasurably high expectations, so the long-awaited ending to the seven-book-epic that is ‘Harry Potter’ could have been an anti-climax without difficulty.

Thankfully, it really wasn’t.

I don’t think I’ve ever felt this emotional while reading a book. My dad actually commented that he’s rarely seen as much emotion reflected on my face than while I was reading this book. Today, while continuing and finishing the story, I had the house to myself. Thankfully, for I’m a bit ashamed to say that I cried buckets, and at times was actually weeping. Harry’s ‘death march’ to the forbidden forest was almost unbearable for me to read (partly because I was sobbing so badly my tearful eyes could hardly make out the words).

And the deaths of Hedwig, Mad-Eye, Dobby, Fred, Lupin and Tonks hit me with the savage intensity I had previously only linked to untimely departures of real-life friends and family. I hadn’t realised how much I had started to care for these beloved characters. I shall miss them deeply, for, to me, they might as well have been real.

Thank heavens for fanfiction-authors, for we don’t need horcruxes or enchanted stones to raise beloved characters from the dead.

Now, let’s all join together, buy some paint, make some ‘HARRY LIVES!’ posters and hang them on public buildings. I’m certain public officials would forgive us in this case.

Also to be mentioned: DRACO LIVES!!!! (Whoop!)

Doctor Who, Season 3 final.

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 21:20:16 GMT

I loved the season's final! It was gripping, exciting, heart-warming ... As good as last season's' and this one didn't have the dramatic benefits of having a tearful exit of the shows' leading lady (I don't think anyone genuinely believes that Martha is really leaving). Too bad the Master died, though. John Simms was great in the role. It would have been nice to see him as a regular villain.

It makes me depressed knowing I have to wait so long for season 4.

However, just one more thing...

JACK IS THE FACE OF BOE!?!?!!

Fic: "Kaoru's Naughty Little Fantasy"

Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:18:14 GMT

Title: Kaoru’s Naughty Little Fantasy

Fandom: Rurouni Kenshin

Summary: Kaoru discovers the pleasures of having a vivid imagination.

Pairing: Kenshin/Kaoru

Rating: NC-17

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Nobuhiro Watsuki. I own nothing.

Disclaimer 2: I got the idea for this fic after reading two recent HP-fics by violet_quill, which were really short and really hot. I tend to get rather long-winded when I write fanfiction, even with my one-shots. However, this time I really wanted to try and keep things short and simple, so the ‘Kaoru manipulating her own fantasy’-angle seemed like an ample solution. (Of course, my fic is, again, like three times longer than I was planning. *sigh*. I can’t seem to stay away from writing smut in great detail.)

A/N: This fic is not beta-read, simply because this is my first non-HP-fanfic and I have no connections in the RK-fandom.

Kaoru’s Naughty Little Fantasy

I’m at the dojo, practicing my kata, when suddenly I notice Kenshin standing in the doorway, watching me.

No, no, no, that’s no good.

I’m on my way back to the dojo after an afternoon of teaching.

Yes, that’s better.

So, I’m on my way back to the dojo after an afternoon of teaching. About a kilometre away from reaching home, it starts to rain. I don’t quicken my step, for I more than welcome the coolness the rain provides. It had been a terribly hot, humid day. The sweltering heat combined with the vigorous exercise had made me feel like I was about to burst out of my skin. By now, all I want to do is spend the rest of the day in an ice-cold bath until my skin is as wrinkled as an old lady’s.

Ahead, I suddenly notice someone running in my direction. My wet fringe is partially blocking my vision, so I quickly caress it to the sides. I smile as I recognise the all too familiar red-headed swordsman, hasting towards me, carrying an umbrella.

‘Kaoru-dono, this one really thinks you ought not to be out when it rains like this, you’ll catch a cold,’ Kenshin says when he catches up with me and opens the umbrella, sheltering me from the rain.

I beam at the noble gesture. I don’t even consider pointing out to him that I quite welcome the refreshing downpour. The way he’s always fussing over my well-being makes me feel special.

Kenshin has taken to walking in the rain while sheltering me from it, the umbrella not nearly big enough for two people to use. I’d object to the unfair arrangement, but I know he’d refuse any alterations. Also, I can’t help but deem myself privileged that a magnificent, handsome, wonderful man like him would take the time and effort to take care of someone like me, partly at his own expense even. By the time we reach the front porch of the dojo, Kenshin is as drenched as I am. I’m far from complaining though, for I’m learning that a soaking wet Kenshin truly is a sight to behold.

The fabric of Kenshin’s gi is sticking to him like a second skin, outlining every curve and muscle of his lean upper body. His hair is plastered to his face and several shades darker than when it’s dry. Small raindrops are dripping from the strands’ endings, cascading downwards and connecting with his face and body. I watch a lone raindrop trickling down his neck, following a path down his beautifully sculptured chest and the flawless, creamy-white skin of his stomach, disappearing under the bandages covering his lower belly. My mouth feels rather dry all of the sudden. All I really want to do is retrace that raindrop’s trail with my tongue and lick, suck, nibble and bite every inch of Kenshin’s lean ivory-coloured body.

I look up at his face. His violet eyes are lovingly looking into mine. His eyes are beautiful, I’ve always thought so. Their colour changes with each varied emotion, like they’re a window to his soul. I realise he’s talking to me, possibly saying something important, but I can’t bring myself to pay attention. I’m absorbed by the way his lips move with each uttered syllable. His thin lips look oh-so-soft and I wonder how they’d feel against mine.

He’s finished talking. The expectant look on his face tells me he’s waiting for me to say something, possibly reply to a question. I’m not sure what to say, not even aware of what the question was. Instead I just smile. And then he smiles back, making the butterflies in my belly flutter with delight.

In a daring moment I lean in and kiss him on the cheek. It’s a soft, light peck that ends quickly, but - no matter how innocent the caress might have been - it leaves an energy wafting around us. His eyes are as wide as saucers, clearly surprised, but he doesn’t seem appalled by my forwardness. Instead, he looks hesitant, as if he’s trying to figure out what he’s supposed to do or say. I’m not taking a step back after the innocent caress, my mouth remaining an inch away from his skin, as if some unknown force is somehow keeping me there.

Shaking slightly, I move my mouth a few inches sideways, kissing the soft patch of skin on the corner of his mouth. He tastes like rain. I’m so close I can smell his intoxicating, masculine scent and feel his warm breath brushing against my damp skin. The tension between us is almost tangible. Next, Kenshin tilts his head slightly, our noses bumping awkwardly together for a spare moment. I shiver when I feel his lips lightly brushing against mine. And then time stops. Nothing exists anymore, nothing but me and Kenshin, his hand holding mine, his other hand lightly cupping my chin, his thumb caressing my cheek, his sweet lips pressing against mine, a lone tear trickling down my cheek and one fleeting thought crossing my mind … ‘Finally!’ …

We’re tasting and innocently caressing each other with our lips. My stomach is tingling and a warm, heavy feeling is gathering in-between my legs. I take his hand and place it over my breast, indicating that I want more. He’d object, because that’s the way he is, always trying to protect me, even from himself. He’d protest that we shouldn’t, not before we’re wed, refusing to compromise my honour. Kenshin’s always so determined to deem himself unworthy of me, afraid to soil my so-called purity with his dirty past. But I could persuade him. It’d be difficult, but I know I could sway him, eventually.

So, after much talking, I manage to sway him. No, I don’t exactly know how, but this is my fantasy and for now let me just say that I did, full stop, so we can get to the good stuff.

He pulls me close, leans in and presses his lips against mine again. With his tongue, Kenshin gently strokes my upper lip. When I slightly part my lips to grant him access, he starts kissing me, truly kissing me, deeply. It’s a kiss that’s all tongues and lips and feels so good. He’s making love to my mouth, tasting, licking, nipping, stroking the roof of my mouth, sucking on my lower lip, running his tongue gently along mine, flavouring, caressing, devouring. I respond eagerly; our tongues sliding passionately against each other. It’s like he takes all the pent up emotions he’s had locked inside of him for these long years and pours it into the kiss.

My back hits the wall behind me. His fingers reach out and start to untie my gi. I shudder as his fingers graze my stomach. Just the simple touch of Kenshin’s hands against my naked skin makes my body feel like it was on fire. Kenshin’s fumbling with my breast-bindings, trying to get them off, but only manages to slightly loosen the soaked-through, tangled strips of cotton. He reluctantly breaks the kiss, groaning with frustration. I’m about to offer to do it myself when I notice his hand move to his sakabato.

‘Don’t move,’ he says, taking his sword out of its sheath.

His eyes stare into mine, a distinct golden tinge colouring his irises, his gaze predatory. Any other person would probably find his current appearance scary, but I find him simply breathtaking. He’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen, inside and out. He presses the sharp edge of the blade between my breasts. I’m visibly trembling, not out of fright but from arousal. I can feel the cotton ripping under his sword. A second later the bindings fall to the ground, freeing my breasts. The cool air caresses my newly exposed skin and my nipples harden immediately.

I’m unable to keep myself from blushing as I notice an approving, masculine smile form on Kenshin’s lips. He slides his sakabato back in its sheath and steps closer to me. His hand reaches out to caress my breast. I gasp when he touches me and lightly squeezes, caressing me just right. Next he leans in and takes a nipple into his mouth. Oh, gods, yes. I shudder as he rolls his tongue around my nipple, his teeth lightly scraping the tender flesh.

His long fringe caresses my breast, tickling my heated skin. While he starts feasting on my other nipple, one of my hands instinctively reaches for his head and tangles into his hair. I groan with aggravation, wanting his locks unbound and brushing against my oversensitive flesh. I urgently pull the strip of leather out of his hair, releasing it from its bindings, his curious red mane shrouding us both like a silk curtain. I run my hands through his magnificent hair, something I’ve wanted to do for so damn long. It’s so soft, so luxurious. I just want to press my face into it, inhale his scent and drown in the cascade of tresses.

I want to touch him. I want to touch him all over. I try to remove his gi. He releases my breasts so I can slip the garment off his shoulders. His gi drops to the floor and my eyes feast on his beautiful upper body. Unconsciously, my hands are caressing his chest, worshipping their white planes on their own accord. He’s so soft, yet so strong. He snakes his arm around my waist and crushes my body up against his. Our bodies fit so well together, almost as if we were made for each other. My breasts press against his chest and it feels so good I could weep.

‘Kenshin, please,’ I plead, a soft whine against his shoulder. Oh, how much I want him. I want him inside of me, filling me up and fucking me hard and fast against the wall until I’m hoarse from screaming.

With deft fingers he unties my hakama and removes the offending garment. I’m completely naked now, save for my opened gi, hanging aimlessly from my shoulders. His hand moves in-between my legs. I moan as he touches me right there. I’m so wet it’s almost embarrassing. He circles the little nub in-between my folds and I purr - yes, I actually purr - when he slides two fingers into me.

‘Oh, gods, Kenshin, please, I need you, I need you so badly,’ I pant as his fingers slide in and out of me.

I whine as he removes his fingers to untie his hakama. I look down to watch him take out his manhood. He’s beautiful, glorious, just like the rest of him.

And then his body is pressing against mine, my back against the wall, my legs wrapped around his waist, his hand against the wall for support, my arms around his neck and the tip of his cock pressing against my entrance. He starts penetrating me, stretching me. I release a drawn-out moan and arch against him as he smoothly slides into me. It doesn’t hurt, off course not, because it’s Kenshin and Kenshin could never hurt me, not even if he tried.

Our mouths collide in a sloppy kiss; our minds too impassioned to kiss properly. Our bodies, slick from the rain, are sliding against each other heatedly. His chest rubs against my breasts with every thrust, creating delicious friction against my nipples. The rain is still pouring. I hear the raindrops clattering against the surface of the roof above us and the grounds surrounding us. The rain clatter dampens all sound except for our mingled moans and pants, creating the illusion of us being severed from the outside world, that it’s just him and me. I can feel his breath against my neck as he whispers things to me, words of love, affection, ardour. He says he loves me, that he wants to make me his, how fantastic I feel, how badly he’s wanted me for so long … but he also whispers dirty things to me, deliciously naughty things that make me shudder.

My nails dig into his back as his thrusts are speeding up. He fucks me like he craves me so badly he can’t control himself. For once I don’t feel like a clumsy, sweaty, boyish little girl. I’ve never felt more like a woman. His considerate strokes change to him savagely pounding into me. I’m wailing, actually wailing, because it feels so fantastic. Soooo good. My eyes close and my head rolls back against the wall as he fucks me, hard and fast. In and out. In and out...

Yes, Kenshin, oh, godssss. Yes, yes, oh, OH! So good. Yes. OH! OH MY…! I … I … Ooooh! KENSHIN!

…

Wow.

That…

That…

That was …

…

I’m so going to do this again!

*****THE END*****

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:14:36 GMT

All the good television shows are drawing to a close for the summer. 'Grey's Anatomy' finished a few weeks ago, 'Heroes' has come to a close on monday and the second season of 'Prison Break' has ended yesterday. I can live without 'Grey's anatomy', but I'm seriously going to miss 'Heroes' and 'Prison Break'. Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura) and Wentworth Miller (Michael Scofield) are the two most recent additions to my 'If I Could Assemble My Own Private Harem, Who Would I Choose To Be In It'-List, so all I can say is: stupid summer hiatus! The sad thing is we probably won't see the continuation of these shows for at least a year, same thing as what happened with 'Lost'. Bwech. Americans are spoiled.

No, I don't seriously have a 'If I Could Assemble My Own Private Harem, Who Would I Choose To Be In It'-List, but now that I think ofn it, it sounds intriguing enough, so perhaps I should make one. :-)

On another topic, I just finished watching the latest episode of 'Doctor Who', entitled 'Blink', and all I can say is holy cow, that was scary! They were the scariest moving-statue-ish creatures I've ever seen on television. The fact that they were moving, but you couldn't see them moving was what mad them so creepy. Great episode.

A day of two opposites

Thu, 31 May 2007 17:18:01 GMT

Why this day sucked …

I am severely annoyed! Yesterday evening I got an email telling me my vacation to Turkey/Syria/Jordan/Egypt has been cancelled due to a shortage of participants. So now I have to go look for a replacement holiday destination. Now, the thing is, I also really wanted to go to Japan, even more so that the vacation I originally planned, but I didn’t think of going because it was more expensive than I’d like to pay for a vacation. But now Japan is completely booked except for a two-week trip, which I’m not going to do, cause I’m not going to Japan for that short of time. Then I’d rather go next year.

I’m now going to have to do some heavy decision-making on where I want to go and how much I’m willing to pay for it. And quite soon, before more vacations will be completely booked. I’m thinking about Peru or Mexico, or maybe just the trip that goes to Syria and Jordan. Gnah, I don’t know.

And please nobody call me a spoiled brat because, woe is me, I have to decide on a new vacation while lost of people don’t even have the luxury of going at all.

Why this has been a good day …

All the stuff I ordered form Amazon has arrived, much earlier than expected (whoop!). I ordered ‘Gohatto (Taboo)’, ‘Mibu gishi Den (When the Last Sword is Drawn)’ and the ‘Peacemaker Kurogane’ DVD-box.

And no, it’s not a coincidence that all these films are centred around the Shinsengumi. I seem to have developed an active interest in the Bakumatsu period of Japan, more specifically with the Shinsengumi and their more prominent members. I can’t help it; they’re all just so damn interesting.

I was a bit peeved to find out my “Peacemaker Kurogane” DVD- box appeared to be only for region 1 DVD’s (it didn’t say that on the site), but I managed to reconfigure my laptop so I can watch it there. Besides, the series doesn’t appear to be available anywhere else and I doubt it even exists on a region 2 DVD. So perhaps it’s a good thing it didn’t say ‘region 1 only’ on the site, because then I’d never have ordered it in the first place.

I’ve now seen the series until episode 21 (I’d seen the first 10 on youtube, until they removed it) and I’m truly enjoying it. It’s a lot like ‘Rurouni Kenshin’, but from the point of view of the ‘enemies’. I think the reason why this series isn’t as widely known is because it’s difficult to pinpoint who their target audience is. At times it’s very cutesy (like it’s a show aimed for kids), but swiftly turns into a full blown horror fest with buckets of blood and gore (at times it’s genuinely scary, like in episode 20 with Tetsu stuck with Yoshida in the burning shack! I don’t know what happens next, so no one dare tell me!).

Hijikata Toshizõ is just how I’d imagined him: a handsome total knock-out in an anti-hero sort of way, but also cold and deadly. The kind of guy that makes you go weak in the knees, but are afraid to look at out of fear of provoking him.

Okita Sõji is great, all though I must admit that in the first episode, before he told his name, I genuinely thought he was a girl. I’d be embarrassed about this mistake, but he really does look and sound like a girl. However, when he’s wearing his Shinsengumi-haori and his hair pulled back, he looks great. I can’t wait to see how they’ll handle his ‘fit’ during the Ikeda-ya affair. There seems to be a small build up, because I’ve noticed him coughing a few times. Sõji’s real-life demise is simply tragic, especially because he was such a kenjutsu prodigy. I’m eager to see how they’ll animate it.

Heil, visitors from the real world...

Sat, 26 May 2007 02:01:28 GMT

Apparently some friends of mine are planning a grand-scale assault on the internet search-engines, with the intent on finding this very website. Part of me feels honored, yet another part hopes they're currently busy with excessive alcohol consumption, henceforth having destroyed the braincells that should remember their evil plan by morning. Still, to be safe, I'm now sitting in front of my computer at 03.30 in the morning (!),'cleaning house' because I'm expecting company.

So, if any of you manages to stumble on this site and is still determined to read something of mine, below are the stories that don't completely suck. The top five are short stories (basic fluff with a minimal amount of plot, but perhaps the best thing to read if you're only interested in a sample of my writings). The others are longer with more plot, but if you're not planning to read the whole thing, I'd suggest you stick with a one-shot. And at the bottom there's one of my 'attempts' at making a comic. Yes, I was bored that week.

And in case you haven't noticed yet, I write Harry Potter fanfiction. If you wonder why:
A. It's fun.
B. It's so much easier not having to create your own characters and surrounding universe and being able to break the laws of physics and general reason every now and then.
C. It's fun.
D. Did I mention that I think it's fun?

And could you please be so kind as to leave a review, or at least a message, after you've read something? It would be greatly appreciated.

Got to go to sleep now. Will alter possible spelling-errors by morning. *yawns*

Fics that don't suck (too much)

A Wish Fulfilled
Summary: Hermione Granger is a smart girl, a smart girl who doesn’t believe in wishes. Wishes haven’t been scientifically or magically proven and personal experience tells her they don’t work. Yes, Hermione is a smart girl, but she doesn’t know everything ...
pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: NC-17 (PWP)

A Late Night Delivery
Pairing: Hermione/Fanon Blaise
Rating: NC-17
Chapters: 1
Summary: Hermione wanted to know what it was like to be in love. She wanted to experience sex, tenderness and intimacy; even if it was only for a little while... and even if she had to pay someone to feign it. (Blaise/Hermione)

Educating Draco
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: NC-17
Chapters: 2
Summary: After accidentally hearing Hermione getting herself off in the shower, Draco realises that he isn’t the only one pretending to be something he isn’t.

Sisterly Love
Pairing: Narcissa/Bellatrix
Rating: R
Chapters: 1
Summary: She was her sister; the same blood ran through their veins. Bellatrix was her love, her life, her very being; she could never be replaced, not by any man.

Melting The Ice
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: NC-17
Chapters: 1
Summary: Draco and Hermione find themselves stuck on the Antarctic after an accident in Apparating. They need a way to get through the night without freezing to death... which calls for desperate measures.

Why Draco Should Not Be Using Tampons
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: NC-17
Chapters: 14
Summary: Draco and Hermione, like all newly appointed Head Boys and –Girls before them, are assigned to switch bodies for the first week of term to ensure a prosperous collaboration between them in the future. Will this week turn out to be as horrible as it sounds? Probably, but you’ll have to read to find out.

Trials of Affliction and Light Sleeping
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: NC-17
Chapters: 16
Summary: Draco discovers that he is part Veela. The odd thing is that Veelas are only supposed to be female. This little fact wouldn’t be bound to bring along some peculiar side effects during mating season, now would it?

The Homerun Blues
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: NC-17
Chapters: 11
Summary: When Draco slips Hermione a potion for a laugh, a potion with a crucial footnote he neglected to read while making it, he must suffer the consequences of his actions...

Patented Daydream Charms
Pairing: Draco/Hermione
Rating: NC-17
Chapters: 9
Summary: It had been one of the most wonderful, exciting experiences of her life, yet Hermione was upset. She didn’t understand... How could... It didn’t make any... It’s just... Why did the fantasy-lover in her Patented Daydream Charm look like Draco Malfoy?!

Draco/Hermione comic: Comic

Edit: I tried fixing the problems with the links. Thy worked for me either way, so if they're still not working, let me know, 'kay?

My job is a disgrace!

Sun, 13 May 2007 13:56:11 GMT

I would like to take this opportunity to state that my job is a disgrace to all professions, educational programs and hardworking people struggling to collect a decent wage. And the terrible thing is: I don't care. I'm the luckiest son of a bitch in the world and I refuse to feel guilty about it.

I'm currently pulling a double shift, because I switched shifts with a co-worker because it suited us better this way. So, yesterday (saturday) I arrived at work at 18.30 o' clock and would be staying there until sunday 21:00. What did I do all night? I watched television, surfed the internet, watched some more television, ate some crisps and watched the first few episodes of the second season DVD of 'Stargate: Atlantis' (which one of the guys had found under the seat at the bus stop!) until 02:00 a.m.

Today, I got up at ten a.m, had a shower, breakfast, and by noon the entire house was vacant except for me. I watched 'Peace Maker Kurogane' on Youtube until 15:00, after which I did some laundry and cleaning because I was going cross-eyed. In about 2 hours one of the guys should start dinner and if the notice board is correct, we'll be having french fries (my favorite!).

This is why I went to college: so I could lay about, stuff my face, hang about with kids my own age and watch television. I can't believe I get payed for this.

Dirty old man: the Sequel

Wed, 02 May 2007 21:26:49 GMT

Yesterday I got another mail from my ex-colleague that recently decided to behave somewhat creepy (see previous post). It truly was the oddest thing. He says he didn't fully think things through before replying to my mail (in which I told him his behavior was inappropriate) and now decides to retract everything he said in his earlier reply and own up to the things he did wrong.

To be honest, I find this sudden epiphany rather strange. If he'd replied to me this way the first time, I'd probably have believed him, that he'd just let himself get carried away and hadn't realized how inappropriate he was being. However, everything he now says is almost the complete opposite of what he said in his first, and probably truest, reply. And everything is a bit too much what I'd wanted to hear, if you know what I mean.

Or perhaps he found my LiveJournal and read my previous post. Eeeek! Don't think so, but I really hope that's not the case.

This is what I think: that his sudden change of heart has more to do with me not replying to his earlier mail and he figured it was best to try a different approach to get a reply out of me. *snorts derisively*

However, I am hoping a little of what he says is true and that he'll back off from now on.

Edit: Fuck. I think it might actually be the case that he's found my journal and read what's posted before. I'm still hoping it's not, but if you google 'FaintingFancy', this page is right at the top of the list. Bwech.

Yes, I know it's not exactly smart to use the same name on your e-mail address as you do on your LJ. But usually when I decide to give someone my e-mail address, I tend think they're trustworthy!

Is he a dirty old man or am I a prudish tween?

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 20:20:55 GMT

I'd really like people's opinion on this because I don't know what to think anymore.

I'm a 23 year old girl. I quit my previous job in december and promised to keep in touch with a co-worker, a 58-year-old man with whom I've had a pleasant working relationship and lots of interesting conversations.

Afterward, we met up on a saturday afternoon for a drink. All went well and he mentions he'd like to meet up again before spring break. I'm thinking, fine, whatever, we'll see how things go. Leading up to spring break, I got a few mails of him, each time asking me to meet up on a saturday. I'm not always available, I sometimes work on weekends and have other friends I occasionally want to see as well. So, we didn't meet up. He starts asking me out on a weekly basis. Maybe it's me, but when I ask someone out who declines me 2 or 3 times, for whatever reason, I think it's a silent agreement that it's the other person who should take the initiative next time. I'd feel pushy otherwise. At any rate, I did find him pushy.

Once he practically pleaded me to join him on a one-day trip to another city and offered to buy me a new set of clothes (?!?). (How he was planning to explain this to his wife, I have no idea.) I start finding this behavior a little odd and because of his (too) frequent mails, feel less and less inclined to go someplace with him. When he asked me again, I sent him a mail that I probably won't be able to meet up any time soon, due to work and hobbies and other issues (which in part is true). As a response I get an e-mail with an attachment of a painting of a naked woman (?!). He mentions he thinks her face looks like mine (?!!) and wonders if the body is a match as well (?!?!!!).

I decided not to reply (didn't really know what to say). After my vacation, he sent me a mail, asking me what's wrong because he feels that I think he did something amiss, but he had no idea what. As a reply, I sent him a mail telling him I find his behavior inappropriate, that I didn't think a 58-year-old married man should offer to buy clothes for a younger woman, take her on city trips, ask her out on a weekly basis and send her pictures of naked women that look like her.

I almost felt sorry sending him that mail, because I'm reasonably sure he didn't mean anything bad. I think he wanted me to be a pall to go play pool with, but personally, I don't think that's realistic. I just think he isn't aware of his age and how that changes things. I believe a man and a woman can just be friends, but I do think there's a certain decorum that must be maintained when there's an age-difference of 35 years. If a 23-year-old male friend would send me a naked picture, I'd probably simply call him a perv and think he's acting stupid, but when a man who's more than old enough to be my father does the same thing: I think 'Ewwwww!'. Maybe that's wrong, but that's how I feel. I also believe you shouldn't send naked pictures to other women when you're married or in a relationship with someone. But maybe that's just me.

Anyway, I got a reply a few days ago. In his stead, I'd probably feel mortified as hell. But no. He hasn't absorbed a thing of what I wrote him. Apparently it's all in my head. He says he feels that I have issues and that I'm taking these problems out on him. He says he has had male friend in their twenties an thirties and believes it should be possible to have friendships with women too. (I think this is true, but I also think there's a difference when meeting up with a bunch of people and meeting up alone). He also mentioned that I'm much more conventional and prudish (no, he doesn't know I've been writing porn for over three years) that he had initially assumed. As a reply to a question I asked him (How he'd feel if his oldest daughter would go on a city trip with a man that's 35 years older than her), he mentions that he'd rather have her go with someone like him than the people he thinks she's seeing now. What I find the oddest is that he still wants to keep meeting up. I just don't understand why he would want to invest so much in this 'friendship'. We didn't see each other that often at work and only met up once after I quit. In truth, I don't really want to see him anymore. It's not that I'm angry or anything, I just wouldn't feel completely comfortable.

What I'm asking is: did I overreact to things? This genuinely is a friendly guy. But honestly, if my father would come home and tell me he's taking a girl who's in her mid twenties out for a city-trip and buy her new clothes, I'd send him to a psychiatrist.

The fact that he doesn't recognize that he might have done anything that could be misiterpretated by others (mainly me) makes me believe he's a bit of a narcissist. If it were me and I made someone unintentionally uncomfortable, the first thing I would do would be to apologize and then perhaps explain myself. He didn't even do that. He basically put me in my place and didn't even consider that I might not want to see him anymore, which I think would be a valid option.

Gah, I just don't know anymore. I'd like some advice and opinions please!

Sat, 31 Mar 2007 10:44:20 GMT

I'm leaving on vacation to Senegal in half an hour. Everyone who reads this, please join me in crossing your fingers and hoping my plane doesn't crash or gets hijacked.

At least this time I didn't watch 'United 93' the week before, like I did during the summer. That was not a good idea.

My first IMDB review. glimmers with pride

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 17:06:13 GMT

The Internet Movie Data Base … my refuge for when I have nothing to do at work, when I’m generally bored or when I’m scavenging for some movie trivia. After over a year of hanging about, I’ve decided to come out of the lurkers-closet and write a review. I’m so proud of myself I’m practically glimmering.

If anyone cares, you can read it here: http://imdb.com/title/tt0203082/usercomments-37

I haven’t always been as coherent as I’d have liked, but I think I got my point across.

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 10:09:51 GMT

On days like yesterday, I'm quite tempted to stop being a lazy bum and start studying for my drivers license. Because I'd had to go home from work after a night shift, go to the city for a pre-travel meeting (I'm going on a group vacation in two weeks), go back home, go back tot the city several hours later for a drink with some friends and then go back home, I'd cycled 63 kilometers! Remarkably, people said I still looked surprisingly well and a stranger even slipped me his phone number on a coaster. Either I should go out more often or I should get this dress in every color. :-)

But I didn't get nearly enough sleep last night, because I had to get up at eight to get to work. They do say you can sleep when you're dead, but meanwhile you're still goddamn tired! As I was cycling to work, I swear my eyes rolled back in their sockets a few times. I'd heard people could fall a sleep behind the wheel, but not on a bike.

YATTAAAAA!

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 21:53:08 GMT

They just started airing 'Heroes' over here. Naturally, I had to watch it because;
A. it's about superheroes. They draw me in like a moth to a flame.
B. Milo Ventimiglia is in it (I adored him in 'Gilmore Girls').

However, as lovely an actor Milo is, I've now seen four episodes of the serie and I'm completely smitten with Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka). He's simply adorable.

Now, let's all say it together: "YATTAAAAAA!"

ROFL!

Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:41:32 GMT

This is too funny. English voice actors messing up while dubbing the japanese anime 'Rurouni Kenshin'. No one seems to be able to pronounce "Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki" correctly. And you'd think these people are professionals. ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfkHAyymQ5w#

I thought these were especially funny:

"The force of his fart was so great, it blew the air away from me!"

"I wanted to call it date rape but my lawyer thought I didn't have a case."

"LET'S GOOOOOO!"

"Its all about the bling-bling"

"Rock on, Kenshin"

"And I haven't even told you yummy's story...". "It's Yumi!" "Yumi, Yummy it's spelled like Yummy..."

"Miss Megumi... get off my back..."

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 21:07:53 GMT

Lol! You've got to watch this, it's really funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4yvY6vqFO0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLrft7q6jTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTAIqLnSosQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqrUpeJCGOU

Nice butt!

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 21:34:21 GMT

Some people's priorities are so out of place. Some new photos from 'Equus' have been released and everyone's in an uproar about Dan smoking on stage. Who even thinks about winging about someone acting like he's smoking, while there are pics of Mr Radcliffe's naked behind and him f*****g a horse? Crazy people.

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/gallery/album/1851?page=2

I so would like to go see this play! I honestly would be crazy enough to travel to england (it's not that far and I've done it before). But I won't, because no one seems interested in coming with me and I suppose it's a tad ... sad to travel to another country by yourself solely to see a play starring a teenage actor you've developed a fan girl crush on. If one finds someone else nutty enough to come with you, I think it becomes less pathetic. :-)

Fic: A Wish Fulfilled (1/1)

Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:11:47 GMT

Summary: Hermione Granger is a smart girl, a smart girl who doesn’t believe in wishes. Wishes haven’t been scientifically or magically proven and personal experience tells her they don’t work. Yes, Hermione is a smart girl, but she doesn’t know everything ...

pairing: Draco/Hermione

Rating: NC-17 (PWP)

A/N: Whoa! I’ve uploaded a new fic! Yes, even I am surprised. What’s it been, a year? *tisk tisk*

Disclaimer: I don’t own Harry Potter or any of its characters ... sadly.

A/N: My eternal gratitude to Renee for beta reading.

******************************

A Wish Fulfilled

Ever since the war had ended a year and a half before, Hermione had felt the constant urge to do something by herself, something without Harry, Ron or her parents, something normal for a change, but also a little bit adventurous.

Something like backpacking through Asia.

None of her family and friends had liked the idea when she had first voiced it, believing that for a girl to travel by herself on the other side of the world was far too dangerous an undertaking to embark on. Hermione had huffed at their objections, arguing that she had survived numerous dangerous situations, all of which were likely to be ten times as terrible as the worst thing that could happen to her whilst travelling abroad. Besides, if anything were to happen, she always had her wand. With that settled, all her friends could really do was to kiss her goodbye at the airport and wish her a good trip.

Hermione had to admit, travelling by herself hadn’t initially gone as smoothly as she had hoped. The first country she had planned to visit was India, where she had now been for a little over three weeks. Because she was a girl, no one seemed to take her seriously and continuously tried to overcharge her for things. Also the fact that everyone kept staring at her, as if they’d never seen a Caucasian before, was very unnerving, though she was starting to get used to it. And if she had a Knut for the number of times she’d had to explain to shocked locals that, no, she wasn’t married, and no, she didn’t have a chaperone, and no, she didn’t need permission from her father to travel, and yes, she was paying for the trip herself, then she just might be able to cover the expenses of the entire journey. And the heat, the pushy salespeople and the major bout of the runs she had had to deal with the first week of her trip hadn’t made things easier. But none of these things mattered really. She was doing something, really doing something, by herself. She felt alive, invigorated. Hermione felt like she could take on anything.

Well, anything except for this. Not even the most advanced adventure prep course could have prepared her for what she had come face to face with when entering her hotel room several moments before.

“Granger, come here!”

“No!” Hermione replied fearfully, hovering on the other side of the bed.

“Why not?” he asked, walking around the bed, stalking towards her like a predator ready to attack its prey.

“Because you’re scaring me,” she said, mirroring his motions, quickly moving further away from his reach.

“Why?”

“I can’t believe you Apparated all the way here from Wiltshire!” she said disbelievingly. “Do you even realise how dangerous that is?!”

“You didn’t truly expect me to use the Floo Network, did you?” Draco smirked. “Or worse, sit for nine hours on a plane?”

“Why ... Are ... You ... Here!?” Hermione pressed angrily. She was quite sure she was having a brain freeze. What on earth was Malfoy doing here? Here, breaking into her hotel room, waiting until she got back, pushing her against the wall and scaring the living shit out of her in the process and then planting on her mouth what was unquestionably the most passionate kiss she had ever had! Thank God she'd managed to push him off her. After that, she'd been successful in keeping herself out of his reach by using the bed as a barricade between them. This proved to be a halfway decent solution, but only temporarily.

“Malfoy?” she insisted, when no immediate answer came.

“I just felt like ... seeing you.”

“You just felt like seeing me?” Hermione said, disbelieving. “Are you crazy? We haven’t seen each other in months, and suddenly you get this itch to see me and risk your life while experimenting with a little transcontinental Apparition?”

“Actually,” he began, a teasing grin on his face. “I was just trying to be polite, but since you don’t believe me ... the real reason I came here for was to find you, pin you down under me and fuck you into the mattress until that overactive brain of yours comes leaking out of your ears and the only word you can still utter is my name, screaming it as I make you shudder around my cock over and over again.”

Hermione stood rooted to the spot. She swallowed nervously and a dark burgundy blush tinted her cheeks. Her first instinct was to ask him to please repeat himself, but there was no way she could have heard him wrong. Yet how could she have heard him right??

This sudden change wasn’t natural. What had happened to make Malfoy want to ... to ... want to do that with her? All they had been up to now were casual acquaintances, nothing more. As she had said, they hadn’t seen each other in months. They had never even really been friends, really, just two people who had worked together while battling a war. Sure, they had gotten to know each other better during that time, but they hadn’t gone further than being comrades in arms, after the war only running into each other once every few months. So why, out of the blue, did he come stalking her during her vacation, almost forcing himself on her to ... to ... to do those things he said. Hermione flushed at the vivid image that suddenly popped into her head. She wasn’t used to men talking to her like that or thinking about her in such a way. In any other situation, with any other person, she might enjoy it, actually. In fact, that was the exactly the reason she...

At once her eyes widened in sudden comprehension.

Oh, good Lord, it couldn’t be! Malfoy couldn’t be here because of what she had done earlier that day...?

*

Hermione threw a ten Rupee coin into the chasm and watched it tumble down the marble stairway, the small brass piece clattering surprisingly loudly while plummeting downwards and quickly disappearing into the dark shadows below.

There, she had done it.

Hermione felt a bit embarrassed about throwing a coin down a hole and wishing for something. She fancied herself someone who didn’t truly believe in things as woolly as wishes that might come true. But she quickly reassured her practical side with the thought that one simply couldn’t visit the Taj Mahal and not go inside and throw a coin into the famous wishing hole.

Self-consciously, she looked around, noticing the many people gazing at her and making her feel as if they had heard what she had just wished for. She quickly discarded that disturbing notion, reminding herself that people had been staring at her the minute she’d set foot in the country, for no other reason than the colour of her skin. Without further ado, she turned around, walked through the arch-shaped doorway and descended the white marble stairs that led back outside.

Hermione looked at her wristwatch. Ten-thirty. She knew that the famous site attracted approximately 20 000 visitors each day, so she had been on the premises since six o’clock avoid the heavy crowds. By now she had seen just about everything on the estate, had taken over fifty photographs, and she was ravenous. She had forgone breakfast to be able to get there early, but unfortunately had been forced to hand in the biscuits she brought with her at the entryway. Hermione took a large gulp from her water bottle and decided it was best to retreat to the hotel and have some breakfast. A hot, humid climate and low blood sugar had never been a brilliant match. She found it quite ironic that everyone got frisked when entering the grounds of the Taj Mahal for anything that could possibly be thrown on the grounds, while the streets outside the premises looked like dustbin lorries had yet to be invented.

She descended another of the many marble staircases that led to the large, formal Mughal garden the complex was set in. The large garden, divided into four parts, had sunken parterres or flowerbeds, raised brick and marble pathways, avenues of trees, fountains, water courses, and pools that reflected the Taj Mahal.

When Hermione had first stepped through the archway that gave entrance to the large estate, and the Taj Mahal had been slowly, fully bared to her gaze, it had felt as if time were slowing down and all sound were dampened and nothing else existed but her and the embodiment of perfection in front of her. It was simply breathtaking. Hermione wasn’t someone who was easily wowed by things, but just then, she had found herself speechless. She felt immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to see such a marvel. Wandering throughout the complex, she hadn't been able to refrain from lightly tracing the design elements consistently repeated throughout: lotus and geometric decorations, calligraphy and so on, all executed with incredible detail.

Hermione felt a surge of pride knowing that this epitome of beauty and balance had been manufactured by Muggles. It was all mathematics really. Apart from the perfect symmetry of the building, the marble dome above the arched doorway had the same height as the base of the mausoleum, and the four minarets, each more than forty meters tall, which accentuated the Taj Mahal's basic penchant for symmetrical, repeated design by framing the tomb.

Hermione knew the legend behind the mausoleum. In 1631, the Mughal Emperor Shāh Jahān had just lost his favourite wife, who had died while giving birth to their fifteenth child. It was said that her death had affected him so that he nearly followed her to the grave. He commissioned the building of the Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his departed wife. Soon after its completion, Shāh Jahān was deposed and put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort by his son Aurangzeb. Legend had it that he spent the remainder of his days gazing through the window at the Taj Mahal. Upon Shāh Jahān's death, Aurangzeb buried him in the Taj Mahal next to his wife, the only disruption of the otherwise perfect symmetry in the architecture. Hermione found all of this terribly romantic, but wondered how much of it had truly happened and how much was make-believe.

Hermione wiped her sweaty forehead with her sleeve as she retreated to the archway that would lead her back outside the premises. It was still morning and it was already over 40° Celsius. It looked like it was going to be another scorching day that would force her to spend most of the afternoon in her hotel room with the curtains drawn. However, this time she didn’t mind too much, since she could use a nap after her early rise that morning. She did feel glad about taking the train to Mandu the following day, exchanging Agra’s busy crowds, insane traffic and suffocating heat for the tranquil countryside.

Hermione ascended the stairs in front of the archway and took one final look around before she stepped through it, silently saying goodbye to the Taj Mahal and sadly realising that she’d probably never set eyes on it again.

*

Hermione gulped nervously, warily staring at Malfoy. What if he were here because of the wish she had made in the Taj Mahal?

Hermione knew wishing wasn’t scientifically or magically proven. Added to that, personal experience told her wishing simply didn’t work. Hermione simply reasoned that if a situation arose when she was expected to make a wish, such as while blowing out the candles on her birthday cake or when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, then she might as well make it a good one. Just in case.

For the past two years, every time she had been obliged to wish for something, she had continuously caught herself wishing for the same thing, the same wish she had made today inside the Taj Mahal. What if one of the people who built the mausoleum, or perhaps even the emperor Shāh Jahān himself, had been a wizard and had thought it a lovely idea to charm the building? Maybe, just maybe, someone had invented a charm that would grant people’s wishes, as long as they wished hard enough, and placed it on the Taj Mahal. Hermione’s throat felt rather dry all of the sudden, thinking of what her wish had been, of what her wish had always been for the past three years.

Please let me have sex this year.

Hermione had had sex before. Once. Sort of. It had happened in a panicked rush, a few days before the final battle. It wasn’t that she hadn’t wanted to die a virgin - she was too practical a person to place much value on that word - but she sure as hell wanted to have had sex at least once before she died. She didn’t die that day, but she did have sex. Once. Sort of.

She hadn’t expected much, anticipating her first time to only entail a handful of thrust that would leave her unsatisfied. She had. Really. She hadn’t really minded; she had just wanted to live the experience. The possibility she hadn’t calculated into the equation was that the show might be over way sooner than that. Quite disappointing, and not just for her she believed. The whole thing must have been a bit overwhelming for the poor boy. She did practically jump him, after all. Hermione mused that maybe if she hadn’t been so direct, he might have been able to hold off for a second thrust.

Yet somehow, it still managed to be one of the most intense, nerve-wrecking, and above all, exciting experiences of her life. She wanted to do it again. And she didn’t just want sex, but also hugs, cuddles, spooning,... a comforting body wrapped around her to which she could cling. She wanted a passionate love affair. Oh, how much she wanted it, how much she needed it.

The problem was that she wasn’t very good with men. No, that wasn’t completely true. She was great with men in fact... as friends. That was easy. Sadly, whenever she seemed to develop any mushy feelings for a man, she just didn’t know how to handle it. Either she turned into a babbling lunatic or she simply skipped that part and ignored him out of fear of making an arse of herself. She couldn’t flirt or be charming on command. Asking someone out was also simply out of the question. For some reason, the thought that she might ask someone out and he might answer her with a blunt ‘no’ seemed scarier than battling Voldemort. Hermione supposed such reasoning wasn’t all that sound, but she couldn’t possibly be expected to act rational all the time, now could she.

Now it had even become so bad that she had resorted to wishing for sex. In Hermione’s book, that was even worse than paying for it, and even that option had started to sound disturbingly tempting.

Hermione buried her face in her hands. This was crazy! Wishes didn’t come true! This wasn’t even her wish! She hadn’t wished for Malfoy to have sex with her!

Or had she?

Hermione absentmindedly gnawed on the inside of her cheek as she thought back on the first time she had noticed Malfoy for what he was: a handsome, desirable young man. It had been on the day of her eighteenth birthday party. Everyone in the Order had been invited, so it would have just been rude not to ask him too. He hadn’t stayed long though.

“I’m going to have to take off now, Granger.”

She had looked up and found herself staring into his trademark steel-grey eyes. She understood his desire to leave so soon. Even though he was welcome in the Order’s Headquarters - he was a member after all - most of the people who had known him before he switched battlefronts only grudgingly accepted Malfoy’s presence, nothing more. Hermione never saw Malfoy spending more time in Headquarters than was necessary and she surely couldn’t blame him for that. Also, the war was still going on and Malfoy’s job as a spy for the Order sadly didn’t offer him much leisure time. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for him, having neither any place nor anyone to turn to when he needed comfort, nor even just a few spare minutes when he could let his guard down.

“Wait, I’ll show you out,” she said, getting out of her chair.

“No thank you, I know the way.”

“Don’t be silly,” Hermione had said decisively.

When Hermione had escorted him to the door, he politely wished her a happy birthday and had leaned in, Hermione assumed, to give her a light birthday kiss on the cheek. They had gradually become closer acquaintances over the past year, so it wasn’t a strange thing to do. However, Hermione had been taken aback when instead he gave her a soft kiss on the corner of her mouth. Afterwards, she was sure it must have been over in an instant, but at the time it had seemed to last for well over a minute, after which he had given her a polite nod and had gone on his way.

Hermione had lightly touched her lips with her fingers. Surely, Malfoy must have been aiming at her cheek; it had just been a slight accident, so she hadn’t made anything of it. Yet, when hours later she had gone to bed, her skin still tingled in the place where his lips had been.

Hermione cursed inwardly. Yes, he was damned attractive, yes, he wasn’t as obnoxious as he used to be, yes, his switching sides at the end of the war and joining the Order had been crucial to their victory, and yes, she had occasionally fantasised about him when she played with herself, but she hadn’t wished to have sex with him!

She looked at Draco and noticed a sudden sparkle in his eyes and grew extremely wary. It all happened in a flash; Draco leaped across the bed, landed on her side and pressed her against the wall, his body covering hers. Roughly he pushed her wrists against the wall on either side of her head and held them there, the forceful action sending a distinct tremor through her body.

“I want you, Granger,” Draco said hungrily.

Hermione’s heart was thumping against her chest, out of fear, anxiety and ... arousal? His sweet, masculine scent was all around her, completely overwhelming her senses.

“Tell me you want me too,” Draco said, nuzzling her neck. She hissed when suddenly he bit down and sucked on the sensitive skin of her neck.

“Oh God,” she whimpered. Hermione felt as if she were being branded, and oddly enough, she didn’t dislike the feeling.

“Tell me,” he murmured, moving his mouth a few inches upwards and biting down again.

Hermione groaned. She had to admit it to herself: she did desire him, even though she wasn’t sure she liked him all that much. Oddly enough, she suspected that was an extra reason that she found him so intriguing, so compelling, so dangerous. Of course, she wanted him. Merlin knew how often she had fantasised about being as close to him as she was now.

“I ... I ... want you,” she stammered, unable to contain herself any longer.

“Good,” he said smugly.

Before she’d had enough time to be annoyed by his arrogance, his mouth had slanted across hers, his tongue plunging past her lips and curling alongside her own. He kissed her soundly, releasing his grip on her wrists and holding her in his arms tightly. Hermione moaned, circling her arms around his neck and kissing him back deeply. Hermione felt Draco’s hands under her shirt, softly stroking her stomach and then trailing upwards to cup her breasts through the fabric of her bra. She whimpered into the kiss as he squeezed her breasts lightly, tweaking her nipples. Draco’s kisses plundered her mouth as if she were the most appetizing delicacy he had ever tasted.

His lips trailed from her mouth, making her whimper when he broke the kiss, and moved to her neck, one hand slipping away from her breast, travelling around her back and opening the clasp of her bra with a flick of his fingers. His hand went back to the front, then, and slid under the loosened cups of her bra to caress the naked flesh of her breasts. She responded to him with a pleasured shudder she was certain he must have felt.

She could feel Draco's hot breath quickening against her neck and his penis hardening against her stomach, her own body responding with a warm, heavy feeling gathering between her legs. He moaned against her neck, his lips slowly drifting downward, leaving hot trails of wetness as he kissed and nibbled her heated skin. He continued to toy with her breasts, rolling taut nipples between his fingers.

Oh, good Lord, was this really happening? Was she really being felt up by Draco Malfoy?! Shouldn’t she be doing the dignified thing and stop him, push him away? Or at least make a half-hearted effort so she might still be able to look herself in the mirror later?

She felt his lips placing open-mouthed kisses down her cheek, her jaw, her neck, her chest. When the seam of her shirt suddenly obstructed his path, he growled in frustration. Hermione involuntary sighed with annoyance, sharing his irritation at the loss of contact. Her body was already irreversibly fuelled with passionate longing and she made the choice to shove her reserve out of the way and follow her desires. This was what she had wished for, what she had been craving for years. Not just a passionate romp against the wall, but - if she were completely honest with herself - also the man who was currently making her body sing. Hermione swiftly divested herself of her shirt, her bra joining the offensive garment as it was thrown to the other side of the room.

Draco was gazing at her, taking in her nakedness, and Hermione felt her body tingle when he gave her a predatory grin. Then his mouth was on hers, their tongues tangling as he kissed her harshly, making her feel as if he was claiming her mouth, marking her as his. His passionate kisses were invigorating and maddeningly overwhelming. He then lowered his head to her breasts and softly kissed one of her nipples while caressing the other with his thumb, making her whimper under the affectionate caress. He took her hardened nipple into his mouth, sucking and caressing the tender peak with his tongue. Hermione ran her fingers through his hair and moaned with delight, pushing herself further against him while he continued feasting on her nipples. His hair was impossibly soft, she realised as she ran her fingers through it. She was mesmerised by its silky-soft texture and couldn’t stop touching it. She couldn’t believe a boy could have hair this soft. As much as she enjoyed touching it, she found that slightly infuriating.

Draco stopped caressing her bare breasts and moved his hands lower, over her stomach. His lips mimicked the path of his hands, kissing a path down her stomach, his hands resting on her hips. Normally, Hermione would feel uncomfortable having her tummy under such close scrutiny, feeling that she had always sported a bit too much ‘cushion’ there. However, to her delight, during the past few weeks this personal pet peeve had been all but taken care of by her stomach’s low tolerance for the local cuisine.

A quiver shot down her spine when she felt air brush against the wet traces of saliva he had left on her breasts and nipples, the pebbled skin of her nipples hardening even further to the point where they seemed hard enough to cut glass. When his mouth reached her bellybutton, he dipped his tongue inside of it. That little touch was enough to make her throw back her head and cry out. Hermione was breathing heavily as Draco teasingly rolled his tongue around her navel. She felt herself flooded with touches and caresses. And suddenly it was as if his hands were everywhere: running over the sensitive skin of her tummy, stroking her arse, squeezing her breasts, twisting her nipples, gradually travelling downwards, slowly moving closer to the destination she most desperately wanted him to reach.

His tongue took another playful dip inside her navel as his fingers lightly cupped her crotch through the cloth of her trousers, making her shudder. He snaked his hand past the waistband of her trousers, his fingers reaching the aching flesh of her pussy and gently parting her slick folds. Her flesh was already moist and glistening. He trailed his slender fingers over her before carefully sliding one inside. She pushed her hips up against his hand and she moaned as he began to move his finger with tortuous slowness. A burning in her centre shouted out to her, calling for attention. When Draco slid two of his fingers deep inside her, she couldn’t stop an animalistic growl. He pumped his fingers in and out of her dark, wet core, spiralling her passion to greater heights.

She whimpered in loss when suddenly he pulled his fingers out of her, her entire body feeling as if it were on fire. Pulling her light, cotton trousers and knickers down in one go, he bent over to remove her sandals and get her clothing from her ankles. She felt a little uncomfortable, being completely naked, but he didn’t seem to notice her awkwardness. He knelt at her feet and she felt his insistent hands on her thighs, pushing them apart, spreading her wide to his hungry gaze. His hands reached around to clutch the curvature of her bum, tugging her closer to his face.

“I’ve wanted this for so damned long,” he said huskily.

A strangled groan escaped her throat, but she couldn't look away as his tongue slowly started tasting her, quivering under him when the tip of it slipped between her wet folds. His tongue ran across her labia and started teasing her slit by moving in and out of her. Draco was gazing up at her all the while, his eyes glowing with desire. He looked positively ravenous. The stormy grey pools of his eyes were so full of want that the sight of them created needle pricks of desire up her spine. Hermione thought seeing Draco’s head between her thighs was the sexiest thing she had ever seen. It seemed so ... dirty, sordid even. And she liked it. Hermione simply couldn’t tear her gaze away.

She moaned and sighed with each exhaled breath and pushed her hips down to get him closer. He playfully circled her clit with the tip of his tongue, apparently refusing to touch it directly, and returned to tracing her folds while journeying back down to her entrance. She felt herself beginning to sweat. The intense heat and humidity of the climate and his current ministrations made her feel almost unbearably hot. She sighed when he spent a few moments licking and suckling her nether-lips and she could do nothing but succumb to the blaze.

Hooking one of her legs over his shoulder, she tilted her pelvis so she could get more friction. Her cheeks were flushed and blotches of pink had erupted on her neck and chest, her skin glistening with perspiration. Her breathing was coming in long shudders and soft gasps. It was pointless to try to stifle her cries; Draco was very good at what he was doing. Draco gently spread her folds and slid two fingers into her soaking passage. She moaned, lifting her pelvis in an attempt to try to get him deeper inside of her. His fingers trailed a circular path around her inner walls, putting extra pressure on her sensitive upper wall. When he pulled back and plunged three fingers in, she almost screamed.

She was writhing under him, bucking and tensing under his touch as he fucked her with his fingers. Then she felt him place two digits on either side of her clit, softly using a bit of pressure to move the hood of her clit away. When her clit popped out from under its hood, he leaned in and swirled the flat of his tongue around it. His fingers were still buried inside of her, languidly stroking her inner walls. Her ache for release was so urgent that she was wantonly rubbing her pussy against his handsome face. A tension was building in her lower belly and she couldn’t help but moan at the revelation of just how fantastic all of it felt. Then he held his lips firmly around the engorged nub and sucked it wholly into his mouth. She arched her back and hoarsely screamed something unintelligible. She could feel his lips curling into a satisfied smile as his tongue lapped at her wetness. His arms were around her waist, successfully keeping her upright, because otherwise her knees would surely have buckled. He held onto her and moved in sync with her to assure maximum contact.

“Oh god, oh god, ohgodohgodohgod...” she chanted deliriously, feeling the pressure inside of her growing to unbearable heights.

And then everything shattered.

Her body locked into a giant spasm as a massive explosion started in the pit of her stomach, electric waves blasting through her body. She couldn’t breathe ... couldn’t think ... couldn’t see. There was nothing ... nothing except for the heat ... and the blackness, the overwhelming, all-consuming blackness ... and the beautiful sparks of colour that looked like fireworks. Her entire body shook and trembled as she came down from her orgasm, the waves of the climax slowly receding, until all there remained was her quivering, satisfied body.

Hermione looked down and saw that Draco’s lust-filled eyes were fixed upon her. He stood up and slanted his mouth over hers, his tongue plunging inside her mouth to seek hers. He fucked her with his tongue, rubbing, caressing, curling against hers in a steady rhythm, making love to her mouth. When he pulled back, she gasped for breath.

She vaguely heard a zipper being lowered, but it honestly didn’t register in her mind. Draco clasped her waist firmly and, with no warning, plunged upwards in one hard, smooth thrust. They both groaned in unison. He was inside her, filling her, his face buried in her hair. He began to slide his cock in and out of her, keeping one hand on her slim hips as the other moved up her body to toy with her breasts. His lips were swollen, his cheeks flushed, his eyes blazing into hers.

“You feel incredible," he murmured brokenly against her mouth before claiming her lips in another feverish kiss, silencing her needy whimpers. Their tongues slid against each other as their mouths merged in a firm lip lock. As the kiss deepened, their movements grew more frenzied. Hermione wrapped one of her legs around his waist, using it as leverage to push harder against him.

Now he thrust and withdrew savagely, making it impossible for her not to cry out. She could feel the coarseness of the wall against her back as he plunged fervently, her hands gripping his back as he moved, fingernails leaving small, half-moon circles on his pale skin. Her legs were quivering against his; desperately holding on to his back, she struggled to remain upright. Her breaths were coming out in long shudders and muffled gasps against his neck. Draco deliberately angled his movements so that the base of his cock rubbed against her clit with every plunge. Their moans mingled as the pace quickened. Fiercely he pounded into her, pushing himself balls-deep into her, their faces buried in each other’s necks. Hermione felt the familiar clenching in her core, signalling her release. The world around her was starting to seem rather blurry, as if nothing were solid anymore.

Then suddenly, her world broke apart, turning into a black, hazy delirium. Hermione gave a loud wail as rapture blazed through her body, her eyes squinted tightly shut, her body arched up against him, her muscles contracting around him and a fresh flood of wetness covering his cock. Draco followed her in her climax, expelling a long, loud groan as, pressing in deeply, he released himself into her, his body shuddering against hers.

They both slid to the floor, remaining upright now impossible. Their breaths came harshly as they slowly returned to reality, the world coming into focus again, their bodies shivering uncontrollably all the while. Panting heavily, neither of them moved or spoke for several moments.

“Draco...” Hermione finally whispered.

“... Just... another moment... ” he murmured, exhausted, his breath heavy against her neck, his body still half covering hers.

Hermione was in shock. She couldn’t believe Draco Malfoy was lying on top of her, utterly spent after fucking her against the wall until she had screamed. She was mesmerised by the feel his erection softening inside of her, his cock about to slip out on its own accord. Her mind drifted back to her previous sexual experience. The contrast was beyond description. When she had lost her virginity she had barely felt anything, but now she felt sore inside and out and just wanted to lie there like the panting mess she was and not move for the rest of the day.

Even though she would have been happy staying like this for a while longer, Hermione suddenly felt overcome with worry. What if her wish had made Draco act in a way that he now found appalling? Had all of this happened against his will? Had she taken advantage of the situation? Would he be angry with her? Was her wish the equivalent of the Imperius curse? Had she taken over his free will to satisfy her own perverse needs? Hermione felt herself struggling against the tears starting to well up in her eyes. Why couldn’t anything go normally for a change?! She didn’t want it to end! She didn’t want to be rejected! She wanted him to keep holding her like this and never let her go!

Hermione gasped when she felt his lips moving on her neck in lazy kisses.

“Am I still scaring you?” he asked smugly.

“I ... no,” she stammered. “But ... er, you don’t regret what just happened?”

Immediately she felt his body tense and saw him lifting his head to look at her.

“No, of course not,” he said. “I was the one who came looking for you, Granger! Why would you think that?” He hesitated for a moment, worry in his eyes. “What about you? Are you sorry it happened?”

“No, no,” Hermione hurriedly assured him. “It was just somewhat … sudden.”

“Yes, I know. I’m sorry about that,” he said apologetically. “It had just never seemed like the right time, and for some reason suddenly it did, but then they said you were abroad and I just ... I suppose I acted rather brashly.”

“Oh,” she said softly, relaxing against him and giving a contented sigh, glad to hear that he wasn’t disgusted at what had just happened. “I mean, you did scare me a bit at first, but the rest of it was good.”

Draco raised an eyebrow curiously.

“Just ‘good’?” he said in jest. “I go through the effort of Apparating halfway across the world to ravish you to bits and all I get is an ‘It was good’?”

Hermione smiled at his sudden lightheartedness, but hadn’t time to form a worthy response; she gasped in surprise when suddenly he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

“Honestly Granger, you really need some practice in exaggerating, if only to keep my precious ego intact,” he said, crawling into the bed and spooning behind her, one of his legs between hers and an arm hugging her close to his front, pushing her breasts up slightly. “Luckily you still have some time to practice during the rest of your trip, so when you get home and decide to talk to some of your girlfriends about this, please try using some other terms instead of just ‘good’. Might I suggest ‘the best shag of my life’, ‘made me scream like a banshee’ or ‘was so fantastic he has forever ruined me for any other man and/or sex toy.’ And it wouldn’t hurt to try to squeeze in the term ‘sex god’ from time to time.”

“Okay, I’ll try, but it all depends,” Hermione said teasingly.

“Depends on what?”

“Well, I’ve always been quite slow on the uptake,” she said with mock casualness. “So it really depends on whether someone makes the effort to check up on me from time to time to see if I’ve been keeping up my with my practice.”

“I see...” he replied with a smirk. “What about this: as soon as I can think of someone suitable for the job, I’ll let you know.”

“Prat,” she scolded humorously, giving him a light shove with her elbow.

She snuggled against him, the climate and their body heat making her feel as if she were about to burst out of her flesh, but she didn’t feel like moving from his embrace even if her life depended on it.

“Aren’t you hot?” she asked, suddenly registering the fabric against her naked skin, realising he was still completely dressed.

“Terribly.”

“Then take your clothes off.”

“How about you taking them off for me in a few minutes or so?” he proposed, burying his nose in the juncture between her neck and shoulder and taking a deep breath through his nose.

“I ... Draco, what are you doing?”

“Smelling you,” he said seductively, moving his head under her chin, burying his nose in her breastbone cavity and taking another whiff.

“Well, stop doing it,” she said tensely.

“Why?” he asked, replacing his nose with the tip of his tongue, taking a soft lick at the little hollow of skin.

“Because it’s impossibly hot and I’ve been perspiring from the moment I got out of the shower this morning.”

“I know, it’s fantastic,” he said delightedly, suddenly lifting her arm and eagerly pressing his nose into her armpit, inhaling sharply.

“No!” she squealed in embarrassment, trying to push him away. “No, Draco, seriously, please, I stink!”

“No you don’t,” he said, flipping her on her back and trying to attack her other armpit. Frantically she reached for his wrists to try and stop him and managed to grab hold.

“Yes I do!” she insisted, but she couldn’t help laughing at the situation. “It’s not sexy!”

“You smell sexy,” he said, straddling her waist and half-heartedly trying to release his hands from the firm grasp Hermione still had on his wrists.

Hermione thought he was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. His clothes crumpled up, his beautiful silvery-blond hair slightly mussed, part of his fringe sticking to his sweaty forehead, the most dazzling smile adorning his face. He had always been gorgeous, but seeing him not at his perfect, immaculate, unapproachable self made him absolutely breathtaking.

Hermione wasn’t someone who was easily impressed by things, but in the span of one day, she had found herself speechless on two separate occasions. Draco was at his most beautiful when he was flawed, just the way the two graves ruined the symmetry of the Taj Mahal, she realised.

“Say, where are we anyway?” he asked with a smile, lying on his side and looking down at her, affectionately moving a stray strand of hair out of her face.

“Agra.”

“Really?” Draco said. “You haven’t visited the Taj Mahal yet, I hope? What do you say we go visit it after another quick shag? My treat.”

Hermione smiled against his shoulder. She supposed she could stand another visit, she thought with a smile.

Yes, it would be fitting to go back and visit the tomb with Draco by her side, proudly showing off what she had truly wished for.

THE END

A/N: As “Melting The Ice” (see AFF.net), was a fic inspired by my trip to Iceland, this fic was inspired by my visit to India this summer. In case anyone wants to see, there are some pics of myself in front of the Taj Mahal in my Photobucket account:

http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n42/FaintingFancy/?action=view¤t=India177.jpg
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n42/FaintingFancy/?action=view¤t=India185.jpg
http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n42/FaintingFancy/?action=view¤t=India169.jpg

If you think I look sweaty and icky, that’s simply because I was sweaty and icky. You try looking spiffy when it’s 45 degrees °C.

Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:42:39 GMT

I'm sick. For the second time this month. Bwech!

On the upside, I've finally booked my vacations for this year. During spring break, I'm going to Senegal, and during the summer I'm traveling from Turkey, through Syria and Jordan and finishing my trip in Egypt. I've already been to Egypt ten years ago, but I don't care, I can see it again! *jumps around giddily* On the downside, I'm going to have to get some vaccines and take pills to prevent malaria again. *whinges*

I think I'm starting to develop an obsession for Japanese films. I watched 'Zatoîchi' yesterday, got halfway through 'The Seven Samurai' today and I have also bought 'The Hidden Fortress'. I'm still looking for 'Gohatto'(boy love!! *swoons*), which I have seen before, but I don't think they have it with Dutch subtitling (yet).

My first Draco/Hermione comic!

Sat, 10 Feb 2007 19:53:32 GMT

Thanks to my friend An for scanning my drawings and opening a new Photobucket account for me. An, the user name is hilarious! :-)

The comic is behind the Lj-cut:

Also: I've finally seen the first Rurouni Kenshin OVA!!! You read the manga, you know how it's going to end ... but still ... *sobs* Well, I didn't cry as such, cause 'someone' (my mother) kept interrupting my viewing experience (gah!). But a scene that really got to me was at the end, when Kenshin's sitting by a tree and Tomoe's 'spirit' (memory?) stands behind him and wraps her arms around him comfortingly. *Snif* I have to say, this movie is a real gem.

Rant!

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 21:01:19 GMT

I am spending ridiculous amounts of money on 'Rurouni Kenshin' DVDs.

But, I can't help it. I just love, love, LOVE this series!

But why?

It's a Japanese anime, mainly targeted at teenage boy's, so how is it I - an educated 23-year-old female from western europe - have fallen for this series? How come this has become the most popular Manga/Anime series ever, and is immensely popular worldwide?

10 reasons why 'Rurouni Kenshin' speaks to me:

1. It has a main character that isn't boring!

Maybe it's just me, but most television shows seem to use a common denominator when they create a main character, so all viewers would identify with him/her for some part. Most of the time, those characters come out bland and are mildly interesting, leading to the side-kicks, who are much more defined and opinionated, eventually stealing the show.

Not 'Rurouni Kenshin'.

Himura Kenshin isn't your average hero, starting with his appearance; he's a short, pale, skinny, somewhat elfine looking Japanese guy, could easily be mistaken for a girl, is dressed in pink gi, has long, bushy red hair and a big X-shaped scar on his face. He has a calm demeanor, but one has the sense that the manslayer he has buried inside of him is always lurking right under the surface, ready to burst out when someone is threatening his loved ones. Kenshin is simply an extremely likable, never boring guy.

2. The romance

I love 'will-they-won't-they'-romances. *sigh* At least as long as they are executed properly, which more often than not, they aren't. But in this case, it so is!

I mostly seem to find myself drawn to non-canon pairings, but not in this case. Kenshin and Kaoru are simply meant to be. I don't dislike Tomoe, I think Kenshin deeply loved his first wife and probably would still be with her if she hadn't died, but they just weren't made for each other.

Also, Kaoru isn't just the typical girl-waving-a-sword. Even though she's a Kendo-instructor, loyal and brave to the core, she's also an extremely emotional girl and at times a bit naive. Kaoru might be quite young for Kenshin (she's 17 and he's 28), but I think her somewhat brash, naive personality is a good addition to him having had such a dark, worldly past.

And I also appreciate that they're never dramatic, blurting out 'I love you's' all over the place. In the entire Manga and Anime series, they never even kiss, not even at the end when they are finally 'together'. Until the infamous firefly-fair-well-scene in season 2 (see reason nr. 3), we aren't even certain that Kenshin has feelings for her, there had been nothing more but a few stray looks from Kaoru's part. Even after that, things still remained subtle. They don't even get together until the beginning of season 3 and even then it's so subtle you barely notice a change in their behavior. They just don't need more. Just look at their faces at the final volume when Kenshin extends his hand to Kaoru to walk out of the cemetery after he had said goodbye to his deceased wife. Those simple looks speak volumes. *sigh*

3. The firefly-scene in "A wish unrequited"

The most heartfelt scene I've ever had the pleasure of witnessing. The first time I saw it, I was still staring at the screen quietly when the credits were already over.

I took the liberty to write out the sequence. Sorry if the translation is a bit 'off' sometimes. I have the Japanese DVD with Dutch subtitles, which I now translated into English. I don't think it's too far off anyway.

The scene is set in the forrest after nightfall, fireflies flying all around. Kenshin announces to Kaoru that he will be going to Kyoto to thwart Shishio's plans after having assassinated Lord Okubo. Kaoru is worried that this means he will go back to being the Battosai.

"Kyoto," Kaoru says quietly, turning towards the lake. "Back to that time, to the way you were ten years ago."

"I don't know," Kenshin replies, turning his gaze towards the sky. "For ten years, I've forbidden myself from becoming that man again. Always staying in control. However, my battle with Saito earlier taught me something very clearly. It showed me that deep within myself, there's an angry manslayer who'll never be able to change his ways."

"But you changed back after the fight!" she says desperately. "No matter how close you get to becoming the Battousai, you're still yourself, Kenshin, a wanderer that doesn't kill!"

"If I stay here any longer, I'll continue to put everyone in danger, going on being the Battousai."

He turns to her.

"When we first met, Kaoru-dono, you told me you didn't care about my past," he says with a smile. "That made me happy."

Kaoru looks defeated, staring at the ground, her lip trembling slightly.

"With each passing day, my soul grew more and more at peace," he continues. "I truly believed that someday I would return to be no more than a noble swordsman."

The music swells as Kenshin advances. Everything becomes blurry and Kaoru's eyes widen as he suddenly hugs her. He holds her tight, the fireflies dancing around them.

"Thank you for everything," Kenshin tells her.

Kaoru's eyes widen and slowly start to glaze over with tears.

"I am a wanderer, and it is time for me to wander of again," he says softly. "Farewell."

Soft tears leak over Kaoru's cheeks as Kenshin releases her. She watches him leave, disappearing into the darkness, but she can't seem to move.

"Kenshin," she whispers hoarsely.

And then he's gone. Kaoru buckles through her knees, falling to the ground. Silent tears stream over her cheeks as she sobs and softly whispers his name: "Ken-shin".

A lone firefly dances across the screen until all fades to black.

Words appear across the black screen:

The 11th year of Meiji, May 14th

On this day, Kenshin Himura returned to wandering once again.

And into the pitch black darkness he disappeared, alone...

Credits.

IF YOU CAN WATCH THIS SCENE AND NOT FEEL ANYTHING YOU ARE DEAD INSIDE!!!!!

4. Shinomori Aoshi

I like Aoshi because he's ... just dreamy. He has a cold and distant personality, but there's a hint of deep passions running underneath (or maybe I just made that up :-) ). And then the icy blue eyes... *sighs dreamily*

5. Saito Hajime

About Saito... He isn't especially handsome, he's a chain-smoker, it looks like he has antennae in his hair, he his cold, calculated and quite cruel and you never know what he's thinking or what side he's really on. Why do I like him? I just do! Nah. And I squealed when I heard this man has actually existed in that era!

What is it with me and tall, dark, mysterious, emotionally unattainable men?! It's mister Darcy all over again. Gah.

6. The fight between Kenshin and Saito (episode 28-29)

Without question the best fight ever to have been put on screen! I know it's animation, but it still is the most impressive thing I've ever seen! The colors, the emotions, the music, the impressive acrobatics, the swiftness of their movements, the sheer brutality of the fight (Saito using his belt to slap Kenshin's sword out of his hand and then trying to break his neck with his coat!)... I was gaping at the screen open-mouthed like a fish on dry land. Fan-tas-tic!

7. The Battousai

As much as I adore Kenshin (which I do), the brief glimpses we have seen of him as a hitokiri have made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It's almost like a seperate personality. No, I haven't seen the OAV's yet (Gah), they're still in the mail. But I have read the Manga dealing with the subject. And when Kenshin's eyes turned gold during his fight with Saito I got shivers. He's just so intense, almost animal-like.

There seem to be quite a lot of smutty fanfics about Kaoru trying to draw out the battousai to 'come out and play'. I honestly can't blame her for trying. *rowr*

8. Sagara Sanosuke

I think I used to be him in a previous life. Seriously, I really do feel like I'm constantly struggling with this side of me that just want to do ... absolutely nothing. Just spending my life being a useless lay about, freeloading off other people and traveling the world. I understand you, Sano!

Although, I do thing fish-bones are too icky to put into your mouth for hours on end. Ew.

9. The background stories.

'Rurouni Kenshin' takes the time to show the backgrounds of almost every character, not excluding the villains. It's a show that doesn't use 'I-am-so-evil-just-because-I-am'-villains. The stories that tell why they do certain things or what has happened to get them to where they are is being told. You get to understand the villains and in a way grow to care for them. I was especially moved by Soujiro's and Anji's pasts.

10. The soundtrack

It's just good. I'm not the kind of person who squeals along with just about any song, so if a song makes me try to sing along in japanese lyrics, it has to be good. I like most of the songs on the soundtrack, but especially 'Heart of Sword'! *starts singing loudly* “HITORI DE WA, TOOI ASHITA WO, YOAKE NO MAMA DE, KOESOU DE ..." Ahem. *coughs*

And now all I have to do is wait in annoyance for the rest of my DVDs to arrive in the mail. Meh. It's been over a month now! Baka! (reason number 11: I'm slowly picking up Japanese.) Good, ne?

OWARI!

Aaaargh!

Tue, 16 Jan 2007 21:20:05 GMT

I finally made a Draco/Hermione comic and I can't show it, because I don't have a scanner! Aaargh!

I suppose I need to go and find someone who'll lend me theirs. Bwech, I hate charity.

Sun, 24 Dec 2006 10:36:17 GMT

Two days late but whatever: Happy Global Orgasm Day!!! http://www.globalorgasm.org/demo.html Personally, I think it's a bit of a rip-off of my Wanking Day. ;-)

List of things I got for my birthday (december 21st):
A hairpin
Two candles in goblets.
DVD of 'The Dreamers'
A Fairy out of stone
A box of Ferrero Rocher
A book of 'What Not to Wear' by Trinny and Suzannah.
Money. Money. Money.

Things I bought with the money I got:
The latest 'Thorgal'-comic.
'The Liar' by Stephen Fry. (Love this book! Must read!)
Two 'Rurouni Kenshin' DVDs.
Collectors DVD of the 'Back To The Future Trilogy'.
A weird hat, but I can pull it off. It's my special superpower; I look good in hats, no matter how ridiculous they are.

Things I still want, but can't seem to find:
The 'Firefly' DVD-box
The past two seasons of 'Doctor Who'.

Also, I'm still writing my fanfic. I'm not sure where I'm going with it, but it seems to be heading somewhere sickeningly fluffy... and somewhat weird.

Happy holidays everyone!