Inevitable, Harry, Ginny, and the fandom

[mhalachai]

I think I've been spoiled a little, coming from a fandom like Anita Blake, where there doesn't seem to be any canon paring that people rabidly and loudly avoid. I'm not one chapter into the Hogwarts section of Inevitable, and someone has already told me they're done with the story because they don't like Harry/Ginny. (Who is unimportant, and this is not an attack. I suspect several of the non-commenting readers may have the same reaction. I'd like you to stick around, obviously.)

I was wondering if anyone would do this, and I have to say that I'm not shocked, given the nature of the Harry Potter fandom, but it's still a bit of a surprise.

Here's my opinion: It doesn't matter if this story will have aspects of Harry/Ginny. It doesn't matter if this story has aspects of Ron/Hermione, either, because that's not the point. This is a story about Harry and his friends, his enemies, his goals and aspirations. Ultimately, it's entirely about him.

We're 46 chapters in. Harry had one late-night conversation with a girl he's known since he was 12, and who has battled Voldemort since she was 11 years old. I will still continue to tell the story I created before HBP came out.

This isn't an angry, off-the-cuff rant, it's just my thoughts on my story, and HP fandom in general. I was wondering if this would happen after the die-Ginny-die calls started after HBP.

That's all I have to say.

Comments

[lady-addiction.livejournal.com]

Shouldn't really comment on Harry/Ginny since I've been dreading it ever since I started wondering as to who was JKR's likely partner for Harry. I'm still of the opinion that she probably wouldn't have put an official pair if it weren't for the fact that there were so many people who want to know and got all uptight over it.

I'd still read your fic because it's got great characterization of Harry. Your Harry really comes across as a teenage boy to me, and your AB characters are also extremely well-handled. I have to admit I'm rather glad though that the romance is not the major part.

Actually, for some reason, as I was reading this fic, I had always thought that you would make it slash or gen. Even with the hints that Harry likes girls, I still thought he'd be more bi than straight or that they would just remain hints---nothing overt. I wonder if maybe that's part of why some people took umbrage on the pairing, because you didn't mark your pairings or likely pairings clearly (or I didn't see any markings) and they started developing expectations otherwise.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Anita/Arthur?

...

Well, considering that I've written Anita/Gil Grissom (http://mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com/104983.html), I'm not denying it is possible. Not plausible, but possible.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

I think at one point, in her blog, LKH joked about getting a t-shirt made up for Incubis Dreams that said "plot called on account of sex". ID was a little.... much. But I'll keep reading until the cows come home. Considering I live in the city, I'll be reading a long time :)

thanks for stopping by.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

if you'd stated in the first chapter that Harry was going to end up with Ginny

There's a reason I didn't do that, which is that it's not going to end up quite that way. But at the same time, I can't go and say "It's going to be Harry/Squid! Don't worry about Ginny!" Looking back on today, I think that's what's bothering me in part, and I have made an utter mess of trying to explain that.

Generally, my issue with canon H/G was that it seemed like JKR was thinking about it, got caught up in the rest of the story, realized she'd forgotten about it and just kinda crammed it into HBP where she thought it would fit.

I am *exactly* the same way. The whole Ginny/Harry part of HBP felt like an utter afterthought, as if her editor told her, "Doesn't Harry have a girlfriend?" and JKR went back and changed a few lines to suit. It fell flat, in my mind.

As the first Harry Potter-centric chapter, it turned out very well

Thanks. I was rather worried about, to be frank. Writing in the "Anita" world for so long, then switching to Harry's world. He's trying to fit back in, too, so I think I have a tiny bit of leeway. He's always sort of been an outsider in the Wizarding world, never fitting in, that Anita's world was so new and like home to him (an outcast in a large family of outcasts).

Anyway, next chapter soon. Harry's off to the races! Or maybe just Hagrid's :)

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Should you suddenly change this story into a Harry/Ginny centric fic (meaning that anything that happens from now on is centered around their relationship), I might eventually throw in the towel.

Don't worry, won't happen.
But as long as it's a relationship on the side (much like we saw it in HBP), I'll happily continue reading, and I suspect that's the direction you're taking this story in.

Yup :)

I was very pleased that Harry also noticed how beautiful Luna was in chapter 46. That made me quite happy, since I adore Luna as a character.

As do I. Luna's a fascinating character and I do hope she'll have a larger role in the last book. But I can certainly guarantee that she'll be all over this fic.

Glad

[(Anonymous)]

I'm one of those non-commenting readers (well, I was), but I'm glad to hear that you are ignoring that particular reader. While I can accept that someone may not like a particular pairing in a story, that does not give anyone the right to question the way that an author may tell that story.

It is a privilege to read a well written piece of fiction, and I feel deeply privileged that you want to share your tale with us.

[laney-1974.livejournal.com]

It's aspects about the HP fandom like this that makes me shake my head in wonder. I don't understand why someone would want to abandon a great story just because of hints of H/G.

I just don't get.

[epona34.livejournal.com]

I found a new AB-HP xover for your list: It's kirallie's New Family

Will be Anita/ Jean-Claude/Richard, Anita/Micah, Asher/Nathaniel and some other pairings eventually. After the death of his godfather, Harry recieves a startling letter. Deciding to take an active part in his own life he leaves England to search out his sole remaining relative in St. Louis, a second cousin he's never met and who has just lost his entire family. How will Richard Zeeman react to this strange, magic weilding cousin?

http://www.mediaminer.org/fanfic/view_st.php?id=108045&submit=View

Re: Didn't see that coming...

[(Anonymous)]

I had typed up a much longer comment, but we were having internet problems here at school.. odd thing is the first sentence made it through.

There was more stuff that escapes me now (went to see a friends band play last night, I may be getting to old for that) but I was wondering if perhaps Seamus and Dean?? (hey people who read Anita should be alright with M/M right?
YOU ROCK.. don't let a few whingers bring you down!

Shopteacher guy

[jiapa.livejournal.com]

Apparently some people read just for their OneTruePairing. *shrug* I personally will read almost any dreck as long as it's got a semi-reasonable harry/severus or remus/severus. I will also read _any_ pairing as long as it's well written.

Since your stuff falls into the well written catagory, I'll read it and enjoy it regardless of where your characters go.

I think the rabid attacking is not because it's HP fandom per se. I think it's more a phenomenon like the increase in flamewars every september when the internet was young (because all the newbies were just starting college and getting their first e-mail account and didn't know to take a deep breath before posting). The HP fandom is so _big_ and it seems to attract a lot of new users (I want more HP... let's google it... ooooh, stories!) that don't know when to step back and take a deep breath before posting.

Please, ignore any ungrateful gits and keep writing.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the HP fandom does seem to be expanding exponentially. I can't help but wonder if, when book 7 comes out, if the Internet will collapse in on itself with the immediate "OMGWTFHedwig!!!1!"

I'm with you on the well-written stuff. That's how I made my foray into HPfic, actually. I wasn't really interested in it at all until I read something by an author who had done other stuff.... and now here I am.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

I can understand not starting a story that's going to be a shipping story (I for one just can't bring myself to start a Xander/Spike story.... ever), but this isn't a story about how Harry and Ginny fall madly in love and that one true love will defeat Voldemort and make the world safe for puppies. It's a very different story.

Anyway, yeah.

Re: Glad

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

I'm ignoring the sentiment, not the reader so much. It was the concept, which I've seen echoed in the HP fandom, that a hint of pairing will make a person stop a previously enjoyed fic.

I'm glad you're enjoying the story, feel free to come back anytime :)

[jiapa.livejournal.com]

Well, if JKR ties up lots of lose ends, then either the prolificness (if that is a word) of HP fandom will drop precipitously, or there will be a dramatic surge in AU stories. On the other hand, if JKR leaves lots of lose ends hanging, then HP fandom will continue on its merry way, although probably growing more slowly, since there won't be as many people googling to find out when the next book is coming out.

*grin* on OMGWTFHedwig!!! -- The owl can't be a horcux through; she's not old enough.

Anyway, keep writing and I'll keep reading. I haven't a creative bone in my body, unfortunately, so no writing for me. *snif*

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Even if the story has aspects of H/G, that's not going to be all. I've got a twist planned in a couple of chapters.

Not sure what "gen" mean in the HP fandom, but the story's not going to be focussing on a specific, romatic relationship. It'll focus on all of Harry's relationships, with his friends and his enemies and with himself. If that makes any sense.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

prolificness
We'll make it a word. I think that she'll tie up the harry/horcrux ends, but leave a lot open. the fandom will only grow!

If JKR makes Hedwig into a animagus, I may choke. Just saying.

I will keep writing! Promise. I love it so much. As always, thanks for reading.

[zed42.livejournal.com]

i seem to agree with quite a few of the reviews already posted (i skimmed briefly) that with Anita, you'd be fairly hard-pressed to find a pairing that she /hasn't/ been in, so being upset over a given pairing is fairly pointless... but with HP, the only person we _know_ to be paired up is Percy Weasley... pretty much everybody else is dropping hints left, right and center, so it's easy to have a "favorite" and hate the rest because there's nothing contradicting your choice.

Personally, if the author can give a good, canon-based, character- or event-driven explanation for a given pairing that is believable (love rays from Mars don't count!), i'm willing to give it a shot. Some pairings are so far out there (Draco/Harry, Snape/any-major-canon-character) that i just can't see it, but i'm willing to give anything reasonble a try. not being one for romantic stories, the pairing isn't the point of the story, anyway... it's more of a set-piece (though sometimes a rather large and important one)

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Mmm, Martian love-rays.

pretty much everybody else is dropping hints left, right and center, so it's easy to have a "favorite" and hate the rest because there's nothing contradicting your choice.

That's a very good point, and one I hadn't thought of. Maybe that's part of why some people didn't like HBP.

[uten.livejournal.com]

Second try at commenting - it stripped my sarcasm bits last time...

Heh, you only got one flame for that scene as *sarcasm* it is just so obvious you're going to set them up and have them humping like bunnies in the next chapter or two and she'll become part of his triumvirate and they'll live happily ever after!!!*/end sarcasm*

It's the biggest failing of most HP fans - they are rebid about who should be with who, and it doesn't just stay with fanfics, there are plenty of people who aren't getting book seven because Harry and Ginny ended up together in book six. Even though they broke up and there is no concrete guarantee he'll end up back with her, although it does seem likely...

Personally, I'm no longer a big fan of Harry and Ginny as it's been done to death in fanfics, but in the end, for me, it's the story that counts. I still read some Harry/Ginny because they are good stories, and while I may think the pairing was rushed (and ended) extremely badly in the book, that doesn't mean an author can't do it better - jeconais is one of those, and it seems you are as well - after all, forty-five chapters for a two month holiday that most people cover in the length of two of your chapters means you aren't likely to rush anything now he's back at Hogwarts, ne. If you chose to make this Harry/Ginny, more power to you, but I'm hoping that Harry's vampiric heritage will arise in some form or something else will occur that means Harry ends up with a harem. Lord knows if anyone needs love like that, it's Harry. I'm more likely to read a Harry/whoever romance than anything else. And yes, that includes Ginny. In a way, it's what got me into your story as you manage to write with the romantic undertone (like LKH and Kim Harrison) - and it does seem if Harry has a crush on Anita.. Heh, I think if Anita and Harry do end up together, the only way to cure Asher's jealousy will be a threeway. I do wonder who would end up in the middle... *grin*

Meh, I rambled, but the basic point is anyone that doesn't like your story for something warm and fuzzy, like that scene, is a complete idiot. *grins*

[child-labor.livejournal.com]

[child-labor.livejournal.com]

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

OMG

Have we EVER seen Hedwig and Dumbledore in the same ROOM????????

Oh, wait. We have. Darn.

But still. You made me almost snort tea out my nose at work. I'm getting funny looks.

[lady-addiction.livejournal.com]

"GEN" means "general" or no pairings. I like it a lot in HP because it focuses maninly on Harry and what is happening to him, without clouding the issues with romance or pairings.

[whispers-of-me.livejournal.com]

Personally I am enjoying this story ~ it is going where it needs to go. As for the interaction between Harry and the females in the HP universe, I think it shows how Harry is noticing how different Anita is from other girls. Whoever he gets with in the end, well I think it will be spectacular...course I'm always up for some good slash loving!

A miny rant, a compliment and a question.

[(Anonymous)]

Ok, i'll admit it, as soon as i saw the Harry/ginny i was like, Mhalachai, how could you! Because i don't like it. Quite frankly, most people write really cheesy harry/ginny, all typically lovey dovey, and they forget the rest of the story. My biggest beef with it is that James/Lily already happened and its like the starcrossed lovers fairytale match of the series, why do we need a repeat in looks and temperment from Harry and his mate? Ok, i've never actually ranted anywhere about why i don't like it, and i apologize to you for doing so, because not only have you taken a very seldom used crossover and made it work beautifully, i've read your other work, and i know that this story will be just as amazing. When people flame you about your pairings choices don't bother to worry about it, because what is a review really worth? I've read thousands of Harry Potter stories and in all that time i may have reviewed only 5. If you can count the hits to your story and sights i would count those instead as they mean worth more than the reviews any one may leave, unless they are positive reviews!
I liked what you said about not really liking Dawn untill you had to write her. I didn't like Dawn in fact i refused to watch the show after she graduated from high school, i felt like it just wasn't the Buffy that i had loved in its first seasons. When i read your characterizations i really enjoy her as a character and look at her as her own character, not because of who her sister is. I really like your Asher/Dawn and your Damian/Dawn and hope you will write more about those two pairing, and write a sequel to Any given tuesday.
Now, i have a question, are we going to see a bit of an Oedipal situation going on in Inevitable? Ginnys character reminds me alot of what people say Lily was like, and your line in chapter 47 and i quote states:
"The setting sun cast a strange shadow on her face, and for a moment, Harry thought he saw an [echo of someone long-forgotten on her face.] Then she moved, and it was gone."
Something in that part clicked in my mind. Is harry looking at Ginny as a reminder of his mother? Or are you so not going there and i am completly off the mark? Thanks for reading my comment, i never post on Livejounals, i didn't even know i could until today. Neways, keep writing, i'm loving Inevitable and how often you update!
<3 Stephanie