Rectober No. 7 - Pay it Forward

[nia_kantorka]

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Dear f-list,
Today I want to celebrate with you. Last year on the 13th of October I finished the wonderful Turn by saras_girl for the first time. It wasn’t the first fanfiction I’ve ever read, but it was the first in years, and the first H/D, and the one that let me fall for the boys- hard and irrevocably.
Since then I’ve read Turn fourth times and am currently listening to chapter 12 of the podfic by mab.

During the last twelve months I’ve read more than 400 H/D fics, a lot of other HP fics (slash and het and everything in between :D) and also some fics from other fandoms. If someone feast on statistics, I counted only the ones with 50 pages or more downloaded on my e-reader, but no re-reads, ficlets or things I read online. Well, if you call me obsessed, you might be right. ;p

So, this is basically an anniversary for me, and as everybody here on LJ was warm and welcoming, and I totally LOVE YOU GUYS, I want to give something back and pay it forward (like digthewriter, chibitoaster are currently doing based on mab's idea):

I am participating in the Pay it Forward initiative: people who comment on this post with "I'm in" will receive a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year in the next 12 months. Anything from a book, a ticket, something home grown or made, a postcard, absolutely any surprise. There will be no warning; when the mood takes me, and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy it will be sent. Copy and paste this to your own journal only if you wish to do so.
I'll screen comments, so if you want to leave your address you may. You might get a postcard or something else in the mail! You can also specify that you'd only like to receive digital gifts by either email or lj post.

As I’m sure, you all read Turn already, I’m reccing Nat’s new story today:

Title: Chase the Wind
Author/Artist: saras_girl
Character(s) Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger/Ronald Weasley, Gregory Goyle
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~10,500
Warnings: fluffy!verse, Gregory Goyle, all the autumn feels
Summary: Draco is up to something, Harry has no filters, and Hermione knows everything. AU Hogwarts fluff with no excuses.

Why I loved it:
First of all, it’s a story by Nat. I haven’t found one so far, I didn’t love. Second, it’s Fluffy!verse. I LOVE Fluffy!verse. All stories are – well fluffy of course - and funny and nearly nobody died in the past and they are so entertaining to read. Chase the Wind is no exception. Third, the characters are gorgeous. Draco is wonderful in this story and such a great friend. Harry has indeed no filter but that’s part of his charm, isn’t it? Hermione made me laugh, Nat’s Greg is always a lovely character and here…, well, you’ll see. But the best parts were the descriptions of autumn and the flying on the broom and the catching of [sorry, can’t tell that without spoiler]. If you haven’t read it by now… come on. It’s worth it. :D

Excerpt:
He circles slowly, tucking his feet back onto their rests and leaning forwards, turning his face into the light and taking long, deep gulps of air that is rich with earth and sweet with woodsmoke and sunshine, cold in his chest and cleansing against his skin. Caught in a haze of sensory pleasure, he dips lower, skimming the edge of the forest and reaching out a hand to lazily rustle along the crispy, golden leaves as he passes. When one catches between his fingers and pulls itself free, he smiles and tucks it into his jumper, pulling in another delicious breath and letting his eyes fall closed.
Draco would love this, he thinks, and then his eyes snap open.