I know. Two posts in two weeks. Has to be some kind of record for me! I hope the New Year has got off to a good start for everyone on my flist. I'm fine, very busy but fine. Could do with more sleep, but that would mean less reading time and I just can't be having that!

I read some actual books again (I KNOW!), one of which was Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. It was brilliant. He has said that this is the book he's been wanting to write always but never felt he was quite good enough to do it justice; I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. What was the first thing I did upon finishing it? Yes, I went looking for fics and actually found 2, courtesy of

femmequixotic. But I have no time for another fandom! I promised I would try to get over to Eskimo Kiss Project, where they tell me that wall-slamming is canon (and the boys are SO pretty), so I must do that first *is determined*. 

The Masterlist is up at HD Holidays. That just flew past, didn't it? There were some outstandingly good stories in this year's round. My favourites, in no particular order, were: 

For the Public Good by blamebrampton. A wonderful story which reminded me a little of Corridors of Power with its very Englishness and political detail. Harry is an auror, seconded to Downing Street after the July 2005 bombings, while Draco has been placed in the Communications Office. Draco is just how I like him to be, funny, sarcastic and charming. The main plot is about a 'terrorist' whose only aim is for the Muggle world to finally notice that magic is real. There's a wonderful scene with Lucius and Narcissa (‘It’s nice to see they’re not actively evil anymore,’ Harry said, reassuringly. ‘Oh they are,’ Malfoy corrected. ‘They’ve just narrowed their focus.’) and a lovely exchange when they finally get their act together (Malfoy: ‘What more were you waiting for? I felt you up in front of the Archbishop of Canterbury.’  Harry: ‘I thought you were being ironic.’) I can't recommend this fic enough. Read it!

Once Upon A Time, Yesterday by femmequixotic, in which Harry is practically an alcoholic when he meets Draco again and attempts to pick up the threads of their pre-marriage relationship (oh yeah, forgot. This is epilogue compliant.) It doesn't go smoothly, there are jealousies, accidents and misunderstandings. A really good, satisfying story.

Father of the Bride by novembersnow. Lily is marrying Scorpius (what? Isn't he always gay now?) and Harry's wedding planning coincides with his investigating the Malfoys in connection with potions smuggling or similar. I really, really liked this one, but my fingers are tired so I'll just say, again, read it!

There were more that I liked too, but I'm tired now! I did read some het(!) and have a rec from sshg_exchange for you. There's not much romance and what little there is is saved for the end, but what a cracking story The Proper Care and Feeding of Zombies is! There's a serial killer, a necromancer, a brilliantly written Hermione and Pansy/Ron which is FTW!!!

Thank goodness it's the weekend! We have to take the terrible twosome for haircuts in the morning, which I am dreading, but then I shall do as little as possible all afternoon. Mr Riss can take them out!

 

 

Lord, it's been so long since I posted and I promised myself I would post at least once a week. Truly, I am made of fail. I really don't know where the time has gone!

The boys are back at school - wahey! - and I am back to providing the after-school taxi service as they attend various clubs and activities. On the plus side, it means I get.... nope, there's no plus side. I'm just constantly tired. But happy! I keep smiling. One thing that made me smile was a parcel full of chocolate and Lassy Mogs from the lovely Lilithilien. We can't get Lassy Mogs here and she's gone and got me addicted to them. Her trip to London in March, when she says she's only bringing carry-on? I'm going to try and persuade her to just bring the Lassy Mogs and buy new stuff to wear once she's here... I mean, who needs to pack clothes, anyway?

My elder boy Joe is making his First Holy Communion this year, and as part of the programme they insist that we attend Mass together weekly and he takes part in a sort of study group. I've always been a Christmas, Easter, hatched, matched and despatched mass attendee until now, but I'm finding the whole thing rather... comforting, I think is the word. I don't give a hoot about religious affiliations, you could be a practising Jedi for all I care, but I find myself drawing something from mass that I've obviously been lacking. Ooh, serious thinky thoughts - that's not like me at all.

 

I've been doing a lot of reading, but I think I shall do a separate recs post or I won't do them justice. However, those of you that like the PWP should head over to

pushdragon's journal and read the sequel to Tale of Horns,   Mating rituals of the winged predator - how Mr February got everything he wanted .  She says it begs the question - can there be such a thing as too much porn? The answer is no, not when it's as well-written and character-driven as this. You need to read it. Now. 

I'm rather jealous of Omarandjohnny's costume that she's making. I wish I had some sewing skills, I really do. The work that's gone into it is just unbelievable and I can't wait to see the end result. It's been fascinating seeing it come together step by step.

Another thing I'm jealous of is that certain people got to go and see Dan!cock, sorry, I mean Equus, in NY. BUT did you see that interview he did, " I lost my virginity to a much older woman"?? Come on, own up. Which one of you was it?? *glares suspiciously at Flist*  'Cos it sure as hell wasn't me or I'd be shouting it to the F-locked roof tops. Who said jailbait? Was that you, at the back?

Right, I'm off to collect all my recent recs together so I might get round to posting them soon. Maybe. Fingers crossed!

PS - I watched the first of the new season of Supernatural. Wonderful. I need those Winchester boys now, please. Preferably naked.

 

I haven't been around much lately; the hard-drive failed on my laptop (it sounded like a bag of spanners! Thank God I had everything backed-up...) so while I was waiting for a replacement I had to beg Mr Riss for time on his computer (which he uses for work)...
I ended up actually reading a book, OMG!!! Heh. So, I've not been commenting much due to lack of time on-line. I will catch up, I promise! 

ANYWAY I come bearing recs! Or one, anyway. Nightlife by Reginawren is a lovely little fic, with Vamp!Draco and Harry with a Captain Jack-type secret in the middle of a murder investigation. You know I love Auror-fic. Her Draco is lovely, really nicely done. Read it! It's nice and shortish and really enjoyable. And not too heavy on the vamp, for those of you who have squick.

I'm so jealous of Certain Members of My Flist who get to see Brideshead before me. Oh woe is me, it has an October release in the UK, so I shall have to *cough* locate a decent d/l *cough* just so I can lust after, sorry, admire Matthew Goode's, um, acting skills... until then, I shall have to rely on the lovely omarandjohnny to keep posting the delicious pics.

Keep the porn coming, people. I know I can rely on you!

A response to lilithilien's drabble, inspired by the photo of brooding Draco, whom I want to lick.

 BROODING

It is quiet and dark in the alcove. This is where he comes to brood, to be alone when the pressure is too great, the burdens too heavy.

Potter. It's always Potter. No matter what he does, Potter is there, his very presence an irritation. Why does he let Potter get to him so? Why did he try to reach out to him? Draco should have known he would refuse his hand again. Why did he even bother?

He feels like a failure. He won't try again.

 

~ *~

This is the first fic I've ever dared to post. It's only a small thing, not much, really.
Dedicated to Pushdragon, for encouraging me to post and because no-one does PWP better..

Internal Memorandi - Private and Confidential

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