My H/D Bookfair / Draco in Finland fic: Sparks from the Fox's Tail

[khalulu]

Sparks from the Fox's Tail: H/D, PG-13 (romance, not explicit), about 17,000 words. Summary: Draco is frustrated with his career as a travel writer, when a mini-tirade from Mrs. Weasley and an encounter with the portrait of an intrepid great-great-great-aunt lead him to Finland to study wandless magic. Harry is – just being contrary and following his sweet-tooth, or taking the subtle route to saving the world?

This is a story of renewal, inspired in part by the genuine and gorgeous Finnish magical incantations you will find within, from a tradition that was still active in the past century.

I've finally written a slash story that passes the Bechdel test! (Includes *at least two women who *talk to each other about *something besides a man.) And it contains actual, not just metaphorical, bee-keeping, unlike my fic of that name!

Many many thanks to my extraordinarily helpful, supportive and all-around wonderful team of Finn-picker dark0feenix, Brit-picker birdsofshore, and beta altri_uccelli, and the patient and fabulous mods of hd_fan_fair.

Check out the picture and video gallery for more on Finnish traditions, dogs and northern lights (Chapter 2).

And I am delighted that this fic can be read in German translation, thanks to the awesome phonixfeder! Funken, die aus dem Schwanz eines Fuchses Kommen I am ridiculously late posting my fic to my journal, but at least I can announce this translation at the same time!

Comments

[birdsofshore]

♥

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

I loved - LOVED - this fic so much. <3

[khalulu]

<3 <3 <3 Thank you so for Brit-picking it!

Somehow, looking at your icon, I just had the thought that it is good that curlews are birds of shore, because if they didn't live in wide open spaces they might whack their beaks into things wen they turn their heads. At least I probably would if I were a curlew, being a clumsy type. I'm kind of a gangly bad-postured meditative great blue heron type myself.

[khalulu]

<3 <3 Thank you! Wasn't it nice to see all the love the bees get in the Finnish incantations?

You have the loveliest icons.

[khalulu]

Also THANK You for the post you wrote on slash and the Bechdel test - it really made me think. I also have a very female-centric life, and it also made ME happy to have more women characters in my fic this time, even if we didn't see much of their conversations with each other. In some ways for me this fic was a way to give Draco a chance to grow with a new, warmer and saner family.

[birdsofshore]

You're so welcome! I'm happy to help any time I am able, it was lovely to be involved with such a super fic.

I expect this is obvious, but it always amazes me: shore birds all have beaks of different lengths (the curlew's being the longest) because they feed on different creatures, which live at different depths in the mud. This way the different species are not competing for the same type of food, and no one type of food gets eaten to extinction.

Yes, I get excited about the food chain. O_o

I am constantly whacking things over! I don't have a beak, but my elbows are about as long and pointy as the curlew's beak...

[khalulu]

Wasn't obvious to me at all! So they are going for those deep-down-in-the-mud critters. You learn something new every day!

[phonixfeder.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed translating so much... hope for new stories to translate ;)

[omi-ohmy.livejournal.com]

Yay! I thought it would be big-headed of me to mention the Bechdel test thing, but I'm glad it was of help to you. I think we seek slash (to a degree) to escape the difficulties of how women are portrayed, especially sexually, but then we're left with this woman-less world. Anyway, Bechdel or no, I love your writing. :)