v. quaint

Fanfiction.net is killing me, so everything's porting to AO3 – please follow and comment there instead if you're so inclined. To be frank we're getting the a spicier era of this fic anyway so this change was probably a long time due. My other stories will likely also be ported to AO3 sooner than later.

A Bouquet of Scandals: AO3 (updated with Chapter 48 - The Fallout)

Thank you so much for the comments and encouragement bursting in my inbox. Honestly I sometimes feel I am the only one thinking about this story over the years, but it's so lovely to hear from those of you who have followed A Bouquet of Scandals for a decade. Dear lord, that's truly something.

Very sorry for disappearing so long - I think I just had so many other things happening in my career and life that it made it hard to focus on writing in general.

What's coming for ABoS (spoilers, if you will...)

Spicy era, like I said.

The amount of asks and reviews I have about Poppy and Albus is honestly astonishing. Yes they will continue to be important to the story. What about them resonates with you?

New characters, yes.

Post-Hogwarts happening, also yes.

Not ending anytime soon, no. There's just a lot in store for Scorpius and Rose and I'm just so excited to write all of it.

“Rosie…” The hoarseness of his voice beside her ear put a flutter in her stomach. “You were magnificent.”

“Was it something I said?” she asked cheekily. She’d sensed this was coming the moment Scorpius stared oddly at her during the negotiation with Creevey. Like she was some sort of revelation.

He liked it when she stood up for herself. Very much, apparently.

you move through mood and genre so gracefully. i was struck in particular by the gleeful brutality of the quidditch game; i've read a fair amount of potter fic featuring quidditch but never enjoyed reading a game so much! and then there's the gentleness and the poignancy of the music scenes! scorpius playing piano, rose lending him her earphones...my heart! i loved how cuddly you write them, the story is packed with physical affection and kindness in a way that makes their love more convincing than a fast burn would have been. that line about scorpius seeing through the curtain was pristine!

i am on the edge of my seat to find out what happens next. i'm so eager to read how they decide to take on the scandal sheet amidst hermione's political rise, how their families cope with their relationship...it's all built up so perfectly. every scandal in the bouquet! hope that you know how talented you are and feel proud of your writing because you deserve to be. it is gorgeous

Ahhhhh this really made my day! Such detailed and thoughtful feedback. I'm super fond of Greta the Giant Squid too. And I love that you mention the cuddliness because that's the kind of relationship I love reading... it's the seemingly small, cute gestures that feed into a more urgent intensity. I lean hard into their Scorpio/Pisces vibe, it's just dreamy as hell.

A lot more scandals to come, that's a certainty. Thank you for for reading and following the work, despite its slow-going!

I haven’t been able to reply everyone but I’m constantly amazed by the number of asks I get about Albus and Poppy. What do you love about them? 👀

The semi-darkness gentled the harsh lines of his cheekbones, the devious stare she knew so well now softened into something boyish and gorgeous… In her arms, all his diamond-sharp edges were blunted by a blinding, heartrending affection. For her. And she, in kind, felt all sorts of tender and bruised on the inside for all of the reasons that somehow led back to him.

It must be love.

No, unfortunately. I don't like having my work on more than one platform :< That said I'm aware ffnet has awful rules on more intimate scenes, so never say never honestly.

Hi anon! Yes, I have snippets (of everything and everyone!) but I'm not sure about posting it here – that's because it'll be part of the fic for sure! Hope you can stay patient anyhow, I know I've been gone a long time.

Sleep With Me by Joanna Briscoe – I was lukewarm about the actual story, but absolutely obsessed with the author's tone. I found the writing style evocative and a little bit creepy, and I enjoyed her word choices immensely (because of this novel I started a list on my Notes app called beautiful words, to collect pretty phrases).

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke – I imagine this is what the Harry Potter series would have been like if it were written for adults, but that's kind of reductive because this was a masterpiece in its own right. Humorous and dark, incredible world-building, and delightfully English.

Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino – Japanese authors and thrillers: name a better combo. Generally novels (and songs) translated from Asian languages tend to provide unique imagery and fascinating viewpoints. I also love in-depth character studies, and this was that.

Essays in Love by Alain de Botton – Non-fiction, but great for life. Recommended reading for anyone hoping to understand love and all of its glorious complexities... and how wonderful and terrible it is.

His thumb came to stroke gently at her chin, coaxing her to open up to him, to let him kiss her deeper. Rose pulled away ever so briefly, but Scorpius didn't let up, chasing her tongue with his own, the mischief in his next kiss making her giggle. She glimpsed his fond smile as he lowered his head into her shoulder.

"You're so fucking adorable," he breathed, his gravelled words muffled against her skin. "No way I can study now."