Stillness and Constellations (Movement of Ellipses Remix)(Harry Potter, Andromeda/Ted, Remus/Sirius)

[puff-dannyocean.livejournal.com]

Title: Stillness and Constellations (Movement of Ellipses Remix)
Author: mindabbles
Summary: Andromeda and Sirius both had their reasons for leaving home, and they each had their ways of trying to find their place in the world.
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Andromeda Black Tonks/Ted Tonks, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin
Rating: R
Disclaimer: The characters do not belong to me and I make no money from this.
Original story: Stillness and Constellations  by avendya
Notes: Thanks to a_merry_chase, sec38, and  such_heights  for their fantastic beta work. Thank you to avendya for her stories. The characterisation of Sirius, and of Remus and Sirius’ relationship, were based heavily upon avendya’s writing, particularly here and here. To the mods, thank you so much for taking on this incredible task and giving us this wonderful fest.

 Part Two

viii. one word to her father

Andromeda pulled on her threadbare cloak and shivered despite the relatively mild day. The outfit she’d scraped together for the interview, including this cloak given to her at her coming of age, must have been passably professional even if it smacked of scarcity. She laughed quietly to herself as she left St. Mungo’s. Even with her humble appearance, her new surname, and her unassuming address, her future supervisors had looked at her and all they'd seen was Black.

Her name had nearly thwarted her, but the number of NEWTs under her belt meant that she could do some good in the war, some good for the Order and, hopefully, save a few lives. 

She had felt the suspicion, thick in the air, as she set out to convince them that she was not like the others, that she could heal and not hurt. But she hadn’t been able to help the thought that, in the past, she could have had them fired with one word to her father.

“Well?” Ted asked that second she opened the door. “Am I looking at the newest employee of St. Mungo’s?”

“The first question they asked was about my marks in school. The second was about my blood status, and the third my family name,” she said. “Three questions, two I didn’t want to answer.”

“Bloody hell. At least they asked about your marks first.”

“One of them assumed I’d want to set curses, not break them,” she said. She pulled off her shoes and sat heavily on the couch.

Ted reached out and took one of her feet in his hands, rubbing away the soreness and humiliation.

“They were just desperate enough to take me, with the caveat that if I practice any family secrets at work, I’ll be sacked and sent to Azkaban.”

“We don’t have any family secrets,” he said, his hand stilling on her foot.

She smiled at him, thankful for the reminder. Old ways of thinking died hard.

“I was thinking,” she said absently, her eyes dropping shut as the foot massage continued. “Summer is near. School will be out. Sirius stays with the Potter’s now. I’d like to invite him by for dinner sometime.”

 

vii. this afternoon closer to perfect

“My cousin was hired at St. Mungo’s,” Sirius said, absently plucking bits of grass and splitting them with his fingernails, watching how they tore neatly along the seams.

Remus rolled his head to look at Sirius, one eye closed against the bright sun of the first warm day of the year. The golden light danced on his hair and Sirius tore another blade of grass in his hand to stop his fingers from reaching out to capture it.

“You have a cousin who works?” Remus asked. He had that maddening deadpan look on his face, but his golden-brown eyes were twinkling.

Sirius threw a handful of grass at him. Remus' laugh was clear and bright. “Yes, wanker. The one who left.”

“She didn’t go far if she’s working at St. Mungo’s.”

“You’re really full of it today, aren’t you?” Sirius asked, throwing another handful of grass at Remus, this one including some sod.

Remus’ smile then was gentle and sincere.

“See, Padfoot. It’s possible.”

Sirius couldn’t look away from Remus’ eyes. The sounds of the first birds of spring and shouts of other students enjoying the lake faded. Remus leaned toward him and tilted his head. Sirius felt the sharp edge of his own teeth catch his lip.

From the lake, James shrieked, “Oi!,” and Lily laughed as she splashed him again. Remus leapt up and jogged to the lake, his hand shielding his eyes against the sun as he waded in ankle-deep. 

Sirius exhaled a shaky breath. He jumped up and ran, low and quick, around the beech tree and waited for a moment. When James was well and distracted with trying to get Lily’s attention again, Sirius crept up behind him, stealth personified, as his bare feet slipped into the frigid water.

James never saw it coming, and he shrieked again as Sirius wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him into the water, soaking them both.

Remus and Lily both doubled over laughing. Sirius came up, coughing and spluttering, and choking with laughter.

“Well done, Padfoot,” Remus said, catching his breath. “But you had to sacrifice yourself for the effort.”

James wiped water and weeds from his glasses. He looked like he didn’t know whether to be angry or impressed, and then his expression changed and Sirius knew he’d have to sleep with one eye open for the next week.

“True, but it was worth it,” he said, pulling his soaking, cold robes away from his stomach.

“Some girlfriend you are," James said, coughing and spluttering and looking at her as if she’d done him an injury. "Won't even protect me from vicious attacks."

“I’m not your girlfriend, Potter,” Lily said, but her tone was light and teasing and she promptly shoved him back into the cold water.

Not yet, but she would be soon.

Sirius felt a grin crack his face, and he couldn’t help but look over at Remus. It was the best idea he’d had since insisting they all come paddling, because Remus bestowed upon him one of those glorious smiles that always made his pulse race.

He could think of only one thing that would make this afternoon closer to perfect.

Not yet, but soon.

 

vi. because of a name that wasn’t even hers anymore

Andromeda thought that Dumbledore looked like a giant Glumbumble, perched on top of their stove. She suppressed the giggle that would have been completely inappropriate given the gravity of the situation.

He explained one more time why they couldn’t join the Order. Oh, but they could still be of some use, like the poor blighter who stored away the bludgers and quaffle after a Quidditch match - everyone said you were an essential part of the team, but you knew that was bollocks.

"You’re targets," Dumbledore said, as if it were as plain as the fact that he’d had to floo in through the stovepipe because their cheap Muggle room had no fireplace. "Most of the Death Eaters would like to personally kill both of you. The Order can’t afford that."

Andromeda thought she might just end up in St. Mungo’s if she heard one more time why she couldn’t do something, couldn’t go somewhere, because of a name that wasn’t even hers anymore. No glory, he said, but helpful nonetheless. 

She smoothed her hands over her round belly. He was right about one thing, Bellatrix would shed no tears if she, or Ted, or the baby were killed. No matter how badly she wanted to stop this madness, she couldn’t die for it. Not now.

“I gave up glory when I left the Blacks,” she said.

With a nod and a small smile, Dumbledore turned and whooshed up the stovepipe.

“Thank you,” Ted called after him, and Andromeda wondered what the hell he was thanking the old coot for.

“'The Order can’t afford that,'” she scoffed. “Not, 'I won’t put you and your family in danger.' Maybe he’s as bloody bad as they are.” She sat heavily in one of their rickety chairs.

“That’s not what he meant,” Ted said in that voice he’d taken to using when she lost her temper lately.

“I know, I know,” she said, dismissing his comment with a wave of her hand. “I just, I want to help defeat You-Know-Who. We have nothing if he succeeds.”

He set a steaming cup of tea in front of her and began to rub her sore lower back, slow and soothing, inviting her to say what had been resonating in her head since Dumbledore had confirmed that Bellatrix and Lucius were two of Voldemort’s most trusted aides.

“Bugger,” she said, wiping a hot tear from her cheek. “I keep thinking I'll see Narcissa. I mean, I’m not an idiot, I knew Bellatrix was one of them, and I thought Lucius was. But to hear him say it…and I wanted to see Narcissa.”

“I’m so sorry, love,” he said. His hand moved to her belly and he leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Looks like it’s just us, again. I’ll never know how I got so lucky.”

“Thank you,” she said. She leant her head on his shoulder and squeezed her eyes shut and said good-bye to her sister.

 

v. separate like oil and water

 

Sirius leaned back in the stiff, hard-backed chair in front of Professor McGonagall's desk. His shoe went thud, thud, thud as it connected with the leg of the chair, and it moved the chair just a fraction of an inch with each kick.

"Mr. Black," McGonagall said, her tone terse, and she looked pointedly at his swinging foot. He squirmed under her gaze, and then sat up and crossed his arms defensively across his chest.

She sighed and pushed a tartan tin toward him. "Have a bit of shortbread."

"No, thank you, Professor." The rich, buttery smell hit his nose and his hand twitched with the effort not to take some.

"Don't be so stubborn," she scolded, shaking the tin at him.

He acquiesced with a small smile, and the sweet, flaky biscuit melted in his mouth.

"I assume you know why I wanted to speak with you."

"To give me detention, I would imagine, Professor," he said. At least, that's what he was hoping for. The offer of shortbread hinted at something more.

"There is that. I am certain that Mr. Potter has already filled you in on his punishment and I should think you'll have the same," she said. She paused and the kind look on her face made him squirm even more than the stern one.

It didn't warrant a big kerfluffle. It was only righteous vengeance exacted in response to Snivellus and his gang practicing their twisted ways, and picking members of the wrong house as targets.

Some might later say that they had become a bit carried away with it all, but when several people, Remus and himself included, had ended up hoisted in the air by the ankles, a monumental battle was really to be expected.

"Sirius, you have a responsibility to be an example to the younger Gryffindors, not to mention your brother."

Regulus had been in the thick of it as well, standing in the midst of the pack, wand drawn. He hadn't actually spoken to his brother for a fortnight. Well, Sirius had been busy, and every time he saw Regulus in the corridor, he was surrounded by Slytherins.

"Yes, Professor," he said, fiddling with the sleeve of his robes.

The vacant look on Peter's face had had Regulus' Jelly-Brain Jinx all over it. Filch had shown up and started taking names with glee, ordering people to the infirmary or back to their common rooms until he had fetched their Heads of House.

Sirius had fixed Regulus with a glare and received back a look that was half defiance and half fear. He had taken a step toward his brother when Malfoy appeared out of nowhere, prefect's badge gleaming on his barrel chest.

"I'll take my charges from here, Mr. Filch," Malfoy had drawled, as if he thought he were bloody Slughorn.

"Regulus," Sirius had called, as the two groups of students had begun to separate like oil and water. Without a word, Regulus had turned on his heel and followed Malfoy.

"Sirius," McGonagall said, sharply drawing his attention back to her office. "I do wish that you would consider putting more of your time and talents into your studies, and less into duelling with your classmates."

"Professor, they were hexing Gryffindors."

"Do not think I don't appreciate your house loyalty, but please consider that teachers might deal more effectively with such things," she said. Her voice was weary, but there was still a little spark, or maybe even affection, in her eyes.

"Yes, Professor," he said with a nod. He didn't agree, but this was one of those things where adults were always convinced they were correct.

She took a deep breath and sighed. "Sirius, there will be people throughout your life who will take one look at you and think they know everything about you," she said. "I suggest you not make the same mistake. The world is not divided up into those in your house and everyone else."

"I know that, Professor," Sirius said, a little nonplussed at her odd statement. "I am concerned about Regulus, since he's in Slytherin and all. How do you expect me to be an example to him when he wants to spend all his time surrounded by the likes of Sniv- Snape and Malfoy?"

McGonagall looked at him as if she'd never seen him before, and then sighed again and pushed the tartan tin back across the desk.

"Perhaps, then, he is more interested in following your example than you realize, Sirius."

 

iv. anything I wouldn’t have lost anyway

She wasn't a Black anymore.

Andromeda's thumb found the simple gold band on her finger, and worried it, back and forth.

"What do you think?" Ted asked. His face was tense with worry. She knew he had seen her step back when she'd first crossed the threshold of the small flat: two miles as the owl flies, but a world away from the home she'd left.

She hadn't recoiled at the cheap plywood door, the battered old couch, or the peeling paint. They could fix all of that in a matter of hours.

Light barely reached the corners of the room. The shadows that fell over the couch were somehow made deeper by the one lamp burning on the mantle piece. The Muggle television added just that extra element that confirmed that no respectable Black would ever live here.

"I'm sorry," Ted said, looking at her with concern. "I didn't have time yet to cheer the place up a bit. This happened, uh, more quickly than I'd expected, and I thought you might like to…"

This marriage had happened more quickly than either of them had expected. She'd opened her mouth too early, blurted out that she intended to leave the family. The weeks since finishing school had been miserable on the best of days.

She'd created a tempest with her announcement, and Uncle Alphard had been her port in the storm. While he was accommodating and understanding, she could hardly claim to be making it without the family. At the end of the first week in his posh townhouse in Islington, she'd owled Ted with a simple message, Marry me. Find us a flat.

It had been a far cry from the wedding intended for her. A far cry from the one Narcissa would no doubt have in a year. Just Ted and herself at the Ministry, witnesses borrowed from the queue of others waiting to see the Magistrate. In a moment of hopeful nostalgia, she'd owled Narcissa and asked her to come.

She didn't.

"It's perfect," Andromeda said. "It's ours."

But light barely reached the corners of the room, and the home she had just left had dark objects in every corner and shadows everywhere else.

Ted looked at her in disbelief, judging the flat through her eyes.

She took his hand and led him to the couch. One gentle shove and he was sitting in the centre of it, in the deepest part of the shadow.

"It's ours. You're mine," she said, arching one eyebrow and focusing on the light in his eyes.

He shifted back, threw his arms across the back of the couch and grinned at her, affection and anticipation plain on his face.

The simple grey silk robes, her wedding robes, slithered down her body and pooled at her feet.

She moved to sit facing him, across his lap. Her fair skin was luminous as it reflected the pale glow of the lamp. The shadows were more distant already.

"I love you," she said. She tilted her head so that her hair curtained his face and leaned to kiss his waiting lips.

"You gave up so much for me," he said. His voice was soft, full of wonder, and it was so much better than, 'I love you, too.'

"I didn't give up anything I wouldn't have lost anyway."

She shifted on his lap, pressing close to him, and sighed when his arms came around to hold and caress her.

Pinpricks of gold and green and purple light moved behind her closed eyes, images of her new home projected in negative on her eyelids. Without the distraction of sight she could feel the cool, light air from the open window on her skin, hear the sounds of people moving about in the gloaming, and feel Ted's desire building as she moved her lips over his mouth, and jaw, and throat.

"Take these off," she whispered, tugging on the front of his robes.

"Yeah," he breathed. His eyes gleamed and she leaned to kiss each soft lid. He laughed, a clear and melodious sound. “You'll have to shift up a bit if I'm to undress." Andromeda reluctantly pulled away and waited while he stripped of his clothing.

The moment he tossed his robes aside, she was back in his lap, thighs pressed tight against his. He threaded his fingers through her hair and pulled her down for a kiss.

They were so close. She couldn't feel, or see, or hear anything except him anymore. His hands on her body made her shiver as he touched her. 

She had touched him before. They had made love before, and she had kissed every inch of him before. But as she tasted his skin, and felt him begin to tremble and moan beneath her, something new and radiant unfurled inside her. She moved with him until her name spilled from his lips in a gasp.  

The muted flame of their single lamp flickered over his warm skin and reflected in his pale eyes. She leaned her head on his shoulder and inhaled the scents of the dusty room, the musty couch, sweat and sex, and the light lingering touch of Ted's shaving cream. This was what home was like.

His fingers were soothing as they trailed through her tangled hair, and he murmured against her neck, "Tomorrow, we'll go and buy some more lamps."

 

iii. meaning beyond the words

 

"What is it?" James asked.

 

Sirius continued to stare at the letter that an unfamiliar owl had dropped onto the table in front of him, just narrowly missing a flagon of pumpkin juice.

 

He realized he must have been sitting and staring at it for a long time, because his friends' plates were all clear and his was still covered with barely-touched eggs and sausages. All three of them were looking at him as if he’d been stricken ill.

 

"My cousin left," he said. "She bloody left the family."

"Which one?" Remus asked.

"Andromeda."

"You mean she left home?" Peter asked. Sirius looked at him and, for a moment, longed for a family where the concept of leaving, of being able no longer to be a part at all, was foreign.

"No, I mean she left the family. She's going to marry her boyfriend, the Muggle-born one."

"The Hufflepuff prefect?" Remus asked.

Sirius nodded. "I'll bet that next time I go home, her name's off the tapestry, like she never even existed, just a burn mark, a hole in the precious thing."

He read the letter again, looking for some message, some meaning beyond the words. Mostly, for some assurance that he could do it, too.

When he got back to the dormitory, he folded the letter and slipped it inside the copy of Weird Wizarding Dilemmas and Their Solutions that Uncle Alphard had given him last Christmas.

 

ii. didn’t suit him any better than this one suited her

The smells of smoke and brandy filled the study. Opulent dark furnishings and tapestries on the wall made the room seem dark even with the light of so many lamps. Thick, heavy books lined the back wall, some ancient and probably worth hundreds of galleons. The room dripped with privilege and antiquity; it was beautiful in a stiff, formal, and slightly terrifying way. She had never really looked until recently.

 

Sirius and Regulus were sitting in the corner, conjuring small images of wizards who alternately duelled and played Quidditch. Children looked so out of place here in this place where she had been a child. Neither of their parents had noticed the boys' surreptitious play, or they would surely have been told to sit still.

 

 No sooner did the thought enter her head then Aunt Walburga shot the boys a disapproving glance. Regulus immediately jumped up and went to his mother's side, joining in the conversation like a miniature adult. Sirius scowled and continued his side of the Quidditch match.

 

"Hello you," she said, sitting down next to him.

 

"'Lo."

 

"How was your first year at Hogwarts?" she asked.

 

Sirius rolled his eyes at her.

 

"Right, boring, parent-type question," she laughed, and he nodded.

 

"And you were there, anyway," he said, looking at her sideways. "I know you watched me."

 

"It’s my job to look out for you, baby cousin," she said. She leaned in and nudged his shoulder with hers.

 

"Shut up," he said, nudging her back, harder, with his shoulder. "If you were Bellatrix, I'd be worried you were sending reports to Walburga." The cheeky bugger said it loudly enough for his mother to hear.

 

"My reports to your parents are only good."

 

"Well, I wish you'd stop. I'm not sure you’re any help." He glanced toward the side of the room where all of their parents, now joined by Regulus, stood talking. Snippets of the conversation drifted across the room, and she shuddered at the sight of a boy of nine taking in all that hatred.

 

"Sirius, they think they know everything that's important to know, but they don't," she said. She kept her voice so low that he was the only one who would hear, and felt immediately irritated with herself. "They're wrong about many things."

 

"I know that, Andromeda," he said, huffing and crossing his arms. "I'm a Gryffindor, remember?"

 

She was flooded with a vivid memory of him, at age five, indignantly insisting that he could control his magic and he was old enough for a wand, while his father smiled indulgently. Being indulged was something that Sirius had never been able to bear.

 

"So, tell me something I don't know. Tell me about your friends. Tell me what it's like to be a Gryffindor."

 

A bright grin split the handsome face that was just losing the soft edges of childhood. "Brilliant," he said, turning to face her.

 

She leaned back against the dark-green brocade couch and listened with delight as Sirius spun a tale about three boys - one was confident and nearly as brilliant as Sirius, one was kind and mischievous at the same time, one was attentive and good-natured, all were loyal and good for a laugh - and how they were becoming his family.

 

Uncle Orion must have thought Sirius looked as if her were having too much fun. Sirius was half-way through telling her a story that made her glad she wasn’t a prefect, when his father summoned him.

 

Without his bright chatter, she immediately decided to make a surreptitious exit. The door to the back hallway was used only by the House Elves to get from the kitchen to the study. She pushed it open and was greeted by the sight of her sister and Lucius, flaxen hair mingling where their heads leant close, Narcissa’s robes pushed aside as Lucius pressed against her.

 

“Oh, Narcissa. Really,” Andromeda said, shaking her head. “The whole family is in the next room.”

 

“No one ever comes out this way, Andromeda,” Narcissa said, her voice clipped and irritated. Lucius did not move, but regarded Andromeda imperiously, until Narcissa pushed him away from herself and straightened her robes.

 

“I just did,” she shot back, returning Lucius’ look.

 

“I hardly think anyone would be disturbed by me taking a private moment with the girl who’s promised to me,” Lucius said. He pulled his long hair back into a bunch at the nape of his neck and smiled. They looked enough alike to be brother and sister. “And I’ve heard confirmation of rumours about someone for the lovely Andromeda, as well.” 

 

Andromeda felt a surge of anger. It was as if they were both property: Narcissa his, and she of some unnamed socialite who was probably a follower of Voldemort. He was right, if they were caught shagging in the hallway, the worst that would happen was they would be reminded of decorum. Girls were to maintain the appearance of chastity until marriage, but if the dalliances were with other society elite, they were largely ignored. He was also right that there was someone for her, but no one he would speak of with a smile.

 

“Just keep your clothes on until you’re alone,” she said, more to Lucius than Narcissa, and spun on her heel, out of the corridor and back to the Library, where the Grimmauld Place lot were saying their farewells.

 

She said goodnight to her aunt and uncle, and impulsively hugged Regulus and then Sirius good-bye. Regulus pulled a face and squirmed out of her arms. Sirius wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. He said quietly, “I’ll see you Andromeda.” And as he turned to go back to the house that didn’t suit him any better than this one suited her, she knew she had to get out.

 

Narcissa and Lucius came back in, both looking irritable, just in time to hear her announce, “I need to talk with all of you. Lucius, you may as well stay. I think you’ll enjoy this.”

 

She didn’t look at her parents, as they sat looking expectantly at her. She couldn’t take her eyes off Narcissa, who must have known. Narcissa, with her pretty mouth now curving downwards in a six-year-old’s pout. If Andromeda didn’t know her better, she would think Narcissa was affecting it. But Narcissa’s eyes pleaded, don’t leave, and held memories of tea parties, shared punishments, and nights telling secrets long past lights out. 

"I am going to leave this family. I will not be like the rest of you, mad and murderous, hands covered in blood. None of you give a damn about anyone else. I’m leaving, and I’m going to start a new life."

It wasn’t quite what she had meant to say, nor when she had meant to say it.

He mother gave her a cold, unreadable look and said, “You cannot change your mind, you do know that, Andromeda. Once it’s done, it’s done.”

Andromeda felt her stomach drop to her knees and she silently implored Narcissa to understand. Not you. Not you, but you follow them. You won’t let me breathe either. But not you. I’m not leaving you.

No one heard her whisper, "I’m sorry."

As she hesitated at the door, her eyes met Bellatrix’s, and the look on her eldest sister’s face made the blood in her veins run cold.

 

i. would have seen her laughing

 

Andromeda loved the sorting. Every time, she felt the excitement as if it were her first day at Hogwarts. She loved to see the nervous little first-years timidly approach the stool, many of them looking as if the hat were going to hex them, as if their house was the same as their destiny.

 

“Black, Sirius,” Professor McGonagall called out.

 

Narcissa, next to her on the bench, elbowed her in the ribs as Sirius stepped from the throng of truly tiny children. She turned to smile at her sister and noticed Lucius’ arm slung possessively around her. She rolled her eyes to the enchanted ceiling. A fifth year, and Narcissa's destiny was set.

 

Sirius sat on the stool. He had a silly grin on his face and she half expected him to recite a dirty limerick. But he looked so little up there, despite the ambiance of effortlessness that hung about him. As much as he fancied himself different from the rest of the family, he was every bit the heir. And didn’t the little blighter stick his legs out and cross them at the ankles as if he were relaxing at the seaside.

 

McGonagall dropped the hat on Sirius’ head, and Lucius scooted himself and Narcissa down the bench, clearing a spot next to him.

 

Andromeda felt unaccountably nervous as the hat sat on her little cousin for the count of ten, and more. Sirius’ eyes were moving about the room, and Andromeda could almost hear the hat listing the litany of qualities that might make Sirius a match for different houses. Sirius wasn’t giving it an easy time.

 

Sirius’ grin returned and he mouthed a word just a moment before the hat bellowed, “Gryffindor!”

 

She heard a sharp intake of breath from Narcissa or Lucius, or both.

 

Sirius bounced off the stool and strutted over to the Gryffindor table. He didn’t see her looking, and he didn’t know that she noticed him casting a quick, satisfied look at the Slytherin table. If he had, he would have seen her laughing.

 

Comments

[avendya.livejournal.com]

Oh. My. God.

I have no words. Well, I have many words, but none to describe how much I love this. Stillness and Constellations is one of my least favorite of my fics, but you've expanded on everything I wanted to say in that, and never quite managed - the importance of love and family even through the betrayals on all sides.

The reverse storytelling fits this piece very well, and love how it feels to spiral backwards, to where it all started for them. You worked so much of my personal canon in, and just - wow. I love the scene with Narcissa and Lucius, and the triage scene - fixing a plot hole I didn't even realize was there and capturing my view of Andromeda and the sheer brutality of war - superbly done.

I could not have asked for better.

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

I am SO happy that you liked it! I am really surprised that this is one of your least favorite fics - I, obviously, saw a lot in it. I'm really, really pleased that I kept with what you were trying to say. I was hoping to do just that.

I love that you said it seemed to spiral backwards - wonderful image, and what I was hoping for! THANK YOU!

[avendya.livejournal.com]

Just ask Amy (who I hear you've been talking to) - I've gushed about how awesome it is to her several times.

I agree; Stillness had a lot of potential, but I don't think I realized it in the original. You did in the remix, though. :)

I cannot thank you enough for this amazing Remix!

[such_heights]

Hahaha. I, um, might have already been passing on your glee. *is sneaky like that* I was involved in high conspiracy and it was great fun.

[avendya.livejournal.com]

I thought that might be the case. :P

(I don't have spies in your brain! Or, at least, I don't think so.)

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Uh, yes, I did get a little information from another source! I'm just so happy that you liked it. I really hoped you would. :)

[avendya.livejournal.com]

Of course I did. It really is a wonderful story.

I hope my dearth of fics didn't cause you too much trouble; I was very worried that I was going to make my Remixer's life miserable because they didn't care for the stories and there weren't really enough. (And I also hope you liked the originals.)

I still can't thank you enough for writing this story. I know Remix isn't a gift fic exchange, but this feels like it was written just for me.

[avendya.livejournal.com]

I knew I recognized your username from somewhere! You wrote during nest_of_spiders, didn't you?

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Hey there, I just noticed this comment - I'm here because I am working up to finally repost as I procrastinate on writing other things. In answer to your question, yes I did write during nest of spiders, in fact it was the first place I ever posted fic!

[secretsolitaire.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! I loved the parallel character arcs of Sirius and Andromeda, and your characterizations felt quite real.

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm really happy that you enjoyed it. It is great to hear the the arcs felt parallel to you - I worried about it. Thank you so much for reading and commenting! :)

[such_heights]

So much to love about this - I adore the structure and the world that you've created. Beautiful work.

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Thank you again for your help with this and your stealth advice! :)

[paranoidangel]

This works really well backwards and I love how much you've expanded it beyond the original.

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. I'm really pleased that the backwards structure worked, and wasn't ocnfusing. Thanks for the lovely comment!

[cindergal.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! I love the backwards storytelling and the way Sirius and Andromeda's stories parallel each other. The last paragraph is lovely and bittersweet.

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! I'd never done a backwards timeline before, so I'm really happy that it worked. I'm glad you liked the end (or beginning?). It was the first one I wrote and the one from which I structured the rest in my head. THANKS!

[sambethe.livejournal.com]

And out of everything, this broke my heart:

He could think of only one thing that would make this afternoon closer to perfect.

Not yet, but soon.

Really, a wonderful story. The writing seems familiar but I can't quite place it.

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Thank you as well for pulling out that little bit of R/S longing. You may guess that I also liked that moment! :) I'm so happy that you enjoyed it and it tickles me that you found it familiar, but couldn't quite place it - that made me smile.

[lovelylytton.livejournal.com]

This was a very nice fic, and the ending you picked was so triumphant and yet simple and sweet. Of course, there could always be more Sirius, but that is wishful fangirlism on my part. Before I forget it: That shower scene moment was heart-breaking.

Well done!

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I am so happy the ending worked. It was a tough piece to write, and in retrospect, doing a 10,000 character study piece for a fest like remix may not have been the best choice. But, it felt like and accomplishment to finish and. And, would you believe that Sirius wasn't in the original at all? But when I read the original, I just kept thinking about how Sirius' story would interact with the Andromeda one the original author was telling. Glad you liked (or didn't) the shower scene. That was one that came to be on its own and then fit just there. THANK YOU!!!

[lovelylytton.livejournal.com]

After finishing your fic, I did actually read the fic it was based on and I think the story won so much by adding Sirius to it. Does your offer of reccing me some good S/R fics still stand? If so, I´d love to take you up on it.

By the way, I can´t wait to find out which piece you submitted to the R/S games. I did have an inkling as to which piece might have been yours, but I´ll see. :-)

[mindabbles.livejournal.com]

Yes, the offer to rec good Remus/Sirius stuff still stands. So I don't send you things you've read or don't want, why don't you email me (at mindabbles at gmail dot com) and let me know if you've read a lot so I should avoid the obvious classics, what ratings you are comfortable with, and your favorite genres (like, do you hate AUs, avoid angst, that sort of thing). That will be fun!

By the way, I think you know exactly which piece I submitted for round two to rs games. :)