FIC: Left My Heart (H/D, novel-length, NC-17)

[emmagrant01]

I'm happy to announce that the final version is up!

Left My Heart
Author: Emma Grant
Rating: NC-17
Archive: Please ask. Note that THIS is the version of the story to be archived! If you archived an earlier version, PLEASE replace it with this one!
Pairing: Harry/Draco, along with some Harry/OC and Draco/OC
Summary: Post-Hogwarts. Auror Draco Malfoy has disappeared, and Harry Potter has been sent to find him.
Length: Novel, 80,000+ words
Link: http://www.queerasjedi.com/emma/hpfic/lmh0.html and at Skyehawke

Thanks to everyone who has encouraged and helped me through the process of rewriting the fic! I'm very proud of the finished product, and I sincerely hope people will be interested in reading it, even if you read the rough draft last spring. *wibbles*

Comments

[hearts-n-roses.livejournal.com]

Ooooooh...an excuse to read it again!

*dances around the room happily*

YAY!

your dear husband?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

*greedy* as i just reread it, i now can't wait for part two *pokes annoyingly and ignores exhaustion* i know you want to :D

[(Anonymous)]

i cant seem to access it? there's always the cannot find server page?

[bloodstaindnght.livejournal.com]

Oooh. I'm saving the new version to read on the plane to San Francisco at the end of the month.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

*smacks self on forehead*

Just ignore me. It's late. :-P

[kalandor.livejournal.com]

*squeeee* It's one of my favourite stories! Great you've edited it! It's certainly better now, even if it was brilliant as a "draft"... *saves*

[sciencegeek.livejournal.com]

HUZZAH! This is the best way to start the day.

[kuteki.livejournal.com]

Yay!
If you are calling the previous version only a 'rough draft' then I can't wait to read the final version. Am very definitely interested in reading it again, I love it so much! It will be fun to look for clues now that I know what will happen.

[lazy-daze.livejournal.com]

A-woohoo! *loves* *saves to print off* *changes rec link* *anticipates sequel omg* <333333333333

[pitchblackrose.livejournal.com]

Have read it often before but am going to read it again now. (Actually, it was only a few days ago that I read a few selected chapters... The ones with the sex :p) LMH is comfort food in words.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Woooooo!!!!!

Which of the new chapters are the most altered? Why?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Good question! There are lots of subtle changes throughout, but the biggest ones are definitely in the first half. I worked on some of the characterizations, changed a backstory here and there, and filled out some things that needed to be explained better. I made some small changes for the sake of the sequel, and some big ones for that reason too. I went to San Francisco on a research trip last spring and went to many of the actual places mentioned in this story, took pictures and notes, and gathered information. A lot of those details were worked in as well.

Most of the changes were needed to cure the story's rampant WIPitis. I think any time you post a story in parts over a long time, while you're writing it, there are things you wish you'd done differently, or explained better. I wasn't happy with the draft that was posted, and I thought it needed a lot of work. Several people gave me wonderful concrit, and pointed out all the holes and inconsistencies. I fixed most of them, and left some of them open to be resolved in Episode 2. (Hence the Empire Strikes Back analogy I mention in the Notes! ;-)

So this is polished, and it's layered in ways the first was wasn't, and there are lots of running bits and hints, and important details that weren't there before. At least, that's what I tried to do! :-P

[serenitas.livejournal.com]

You had given me permission with the first draft, however I would like to ask again if I may please archive your fic on my website?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! Thanks so much!

[nattybear.livejournal.com]

OMG! It's finally out!! YES! I'm going to start reading it RIGHT NOW!! I'm so proud of you, Emma. ♥

[azure-k-mello.livejournal.com]

I heart you so much right now, hon. It was odd, I saw Manny in my mind as looking like Mandy Patinkin and I wanted him to be like, "My father was killed by a man with a very little penis." and then go up to Colby and saying, "My name is Manny Padilla, you killed my father prepare to die." I think I've seen the Princess Bride a few too many times. This was such a great story, I don't remember why I friended you to begin with but this just made me so happy and grateful I did!! Thank you!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

Nice

[littlesnitch.livejournal.com]

Emma, Nice to see the "final" version is up and running. LMK when you need beta-ness for the sequel. Loved reading "Star Wars" and looking forward to "Empire"!

All the best,

--ls

LMH

[cool-september.livejournal.com]

Hey! I had already read LMH twice, but I just read this final version and wanted to let you know that it's still one of my favorites and definitely worth reading and even re-reading! I can't wait for the sequel! Thank you =D

Re: LMH

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thanks for that, really! I'm glad you gave the final version a look!

[elrienne.livejournal.com]

The final version is definitely more coherent & flows smoother in terms of plot & characterization. A lot of the scenes are more powerful 'cause of the revision, which set up the background stories better & allow us to understand the changes in each character's personality post-Hogwarts. I was crying even worse than the first time! Also, some of the holes are filled up...even though they only lead to even MORE questions ;p

Quick question--what's the deal with Ron? I guess Harry "loved" him in the past, but Ron was too freaked by it? I'm a little squicked by it 'cause the idea of Harry loving Ron is kind of weird, especially since Ron's attraction to Hermione was present in their early Hogwarts years. Is Ron good or evil? For some reason, I have a very uncomfortable feeling about him....

Can't wait for the sequel!

Mon

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Thanks especially for the comments about the flow of the story. I worked pretty hard on it, so comments along these lines are very nice to get!

Yes, what IS the deal with RON? Hmmm... ;-)

i am so bad.....

[pombagira.livejournal.com]

i spent all day reading LMH instead of doing skool work *bad polly bad polly!*

all the same i loved it.. you should be very proud because it is great!! the extra stuff and wot not made it better... and i haven't re read it in a while so i was very exciting to read it again.. *sighs*.. just lovely...

am looking forward to the sequal..

now i should go and do some editing of my own...

*dances around!!*

Re: i am so bad.....

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[oconel]

*runs to read*

:)

[luahoana.livejournal.com]

*squee*

*goes off to read*

*comes back to snog Emma*

*goes off to read again*

:D

[kittea.livejournal.com]

..I think I love you. :O.

....-Rushes off to read the final version!!!!!.-

[cloudsurfing.livejournal.com]

Ooohh.

I didn't read the rough draft since I didn't know there was one so I've not seen this before and now I've finished it and I might have to go and read it again. I shall now sit here and calmly wait for the next part.

So, so much love.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Aw, thanks! :-D

[ladyflowdi.livejournal.com]

Oh. My guh. This was a FANTASTIC story. I don't normally read a lot of HP/DM, and rarely find any that's so flawlessly in character as this story was. I was *riveted* from start to finish--the games they were playing with one another, the deceptions and lies, and poor Harry, stuck in the middle of it. I hope you don't mind that I've friended you, and eagerly anticipate the next part! Happy writing :)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I appreciate that so much!

[graysong.livejournal.com]

See? I said I'd be snooping around your LJ ... *g*

Loved "Left My Heart"!!!!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_br0kenhearted/]

I ♥ that story!!!!!!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thank you...

[nepelope.livejournal.com]

oh, squee!

huh, I guess I'd make a really lousy beta, because I didn't really ever notice any big holes or inconsistencies or wip-itis in the first draft, but then again, whenever I get drawn into a story, I tend to get really drawn in and not seeing anything negative. And yours I loved to pieces, so.. :}

will go start reading at ONCE.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Ah, but the holes were all there... Thanks for reading again!

:-D

[cenas-plots.livejournal.com]

I just got finished reading the revised version.
I was an avid reader of the rough draft and I have to say that the revised version is so entirely kick ass. I still love this story.
I noticed the few changes, but they definitely made the story and flow better. You did an amazing job writing this Emma. I can't tell you how much I just truly adore this story.
Can't wait for the sequel to see how it resolves(?). Heh.
Keep up the awesome work.

<333

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Thanks -- I really appreciate your kind words! I'll take it as a compliement that you didn't notice many chnges. Hopefully, that means you were too busy reading the story! ;-)

Thanks

[(Anonymous)]

Thank You. I enjoyed this the first time and enjoyed it even more the second time. I like the changes and can't wait to see what you do with the sequel.

Kim