As we approach our post day (remember that as soon as it turns January 10th in any timezone you may start posting) I have an announcement:
At least for now, this is my final exchange.
There are a variety of reasons for this, but I won't bore you with the details. Basically (and I think if you have participated in my exchanges before, you may have noticed this) my heart is really not in it this time around. It's a bummer.
I still love you all, you are all very talented and lovely, and the work is always stunning; I promise it has nothing to do with any of you! It's all me and where my head/life is at right now.
If anybody is interested in taking up the mantle of running exchanges, I've done four Mystrades and one small The Newsroom one, and I would be more than happy to pass on my tips and tricks! Email or inbox me if you're interested.
Both of my Mystrade Exchange blogs ( summermystradeexchange and wintermystrade) will stay up, as the work from each exchange is still on those blogs.
Thank you all so much for all the love and support you've given me these past two years. I love our crazy little corner of the fandom. Let's get geared up for the new Mystrade coming our way in just a matter of days!
THE SIGN-UPS FOR THE WINTER MYSTRADE EXCHANGE ARE OPEN
Hey you!
Do you like Mystrade?
You should sign up for this winter fanwork exchange!
Go HERE to sign up!
Questions are welcome, but PLEASE read the ENTIRE page before asking! I cover a lot there, haha.
(The timeline as it stands is sign-ups closing November 15th, assignments given out with 10 days, and post day January 10th. I'm opening the sign-ups earlier than usual because I'm worried about forgetting to open them in the first place!)
Hi there, do you already know if there's going to be a Winter Mystrade Exchange - maybe with the goal of producing just in time really nice Christmas gifts for the giftees? And if so, are you going to send us an alert through this page? Cheers, Copgirl
Hello dearie
Yes, I absolutely plan on running a Winter/Christmas/Holiday exchange type over on my other blog - wintermystrade.tumblr.com
As soon as I set the dates up for that one, I will put an announcement on this blog and all over the Mystrade tags!
Last time I did sign-ups until mid-November, then all of December and into January to write, with post day January 15th… I’m going to open up the floor here and see what y’all think- should I do it earlier? Say sign-ups until the end of October and all of November and into December to write? And a post day of like December 15th? Reblog this and tell me or put it in my inbox, haha. If a lot of you are coming over to that one, I wanna do what's easiest for ya.
I need you to get in contact with me VIA GMAIL ([email protected], only because I have a record of our conversation there rather than on tumblr) IF you fall into any of the following categories:
You posted your work, but I haven't reblogged it to this blog yet.
-That means that I haven't counted you as having turned your work in because I haven't seen it, as I reblog every single piece created for this exchange. So PLEASE email me and include a link to the post so that I can reblog it and the mistake can be rectified.
You haven't posted your work yet.
-You can be in one of two categories: "still finishing", and "dropping out." If you are still finishing, please give the time frame for completion so that I may tell your giftee when to expect the work. If you are dropping out, meaning you didn't get to finish your work and won't be publishing anything, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me. I promise I won't be mad! I will be far angrier if I have to call in a pinch-hitter on a "no-show." It makes me far happier to know for sure that a pinch-hitter is needed.
You haven't seen your gift yet.
-There's a change you just missed when it was posted! If, however, your gift creator hasn't posted, I can get to work fixing the situation, either by telling you when your gift creator will be posting, or calling in a pinch hitter. PLEASE let me know if you fall into this category, because I will only be calling in pinch-hitters for those who are still interested in receiving something. And the only way I'll know this is if you email me and tell me!
You are interested in pinch-hitting under the "ASAP" deadline.
-It doesn't have to be as involved as a regular submission, because I will be asking that you turn it in as soon as humanly possible for you (think a week or less). I understand this kind of deadline isn't for everybody, so you only have to let me know if you are interested in working under this condition. I love you to the moon and stars if you do this, though.
MY ULTIMATE GOAL FOR THIS EXCHANGE IS THAT EVERYBODY WHO TURNS IN A PIECE GETS ONE IN RETURN. I WANT LOTS OF SHINY HAPPY PARTICIPANTS. ILU ALL AND IF YOU WORK WITH ME I CAN REACH MY GOAL
Here's my gift to neeea who asked for Potter AU, fluff and genderbender. I managed to put the three in my fic, I hope she'll like it (I'm a bit rusty at writing fics and it's my first official mystrade fic)
summary: Mycroft's coming over at Greg's place for the Christmas holidays. Lots of fluff, not much of a plot (not my fault, I just had tons and tons of fluffy ideas popping in my head and I had to decide which ones to use). Enjoy! <3
Snow was slowly falling down outside, covering everything with its white shining mantle as the sun was beginning to set. Life was buzzing between the castle's walls, students relaxing after a long day of classes and quidditch practices. There was still a week left before the holidays vacations, so many were still buried nose deep into their books or scrolls, rushing to finish the last homeworks. Mycroft Holmes was one of those students, but unlike many, she wasn't worrying at all about her grades. She had been into the top students ever since she set foot in the school and was now the Slytherin's house prefect. People respected her even if she wasn't part of the « popular » crowd, unlike the girl sitting in front of her. A year older, captain of the Gryffondor quidditch team, Gregory Lestrade was one of the most popular girl in the Gryffondor's house. And by a strange turn of events Mycroft would never had been able to predict, she was also her girlfriend. But right now, said lover was so fidgety that it managed to disturb Mycroft's reading enough to get her to stop to look at her.
« You've been reading the same page for the last half hour dear, if you've got something to ask me, go ahead »
With a chippish expression, Gregory looked over the top of her own book.
« Didn't want to disturb you, sorry »
Mycroft sighed, waving the apology away as she closed her book and settled it down.
« What is it? »
« Well, you know, I've only told my mom about us recently.... » Mycroft nodded. « Well....she sent me a letter this morning about the Christmas holidays »
More fidgeting from Gregory's part, ever her cheeks were slightly reddening now. Mycroft only raised an eyebrow, waiting for what was coming next.
« She said that, if you want and have nothing else planned -she added hurriedly- you are more than welcome to come spend Christmas with us »
Mycroft was so surprised by the sudden offer that she was left speechless. Greg, totally misunterpreting her silence, backtracked at the speed of light.
« But it's okay, I know you must have lots of things planned already in your family. I'll just tell her you're already.... »
Mycrofy grabbed her hand in hers, squeezing it gently but firmly enough to stop her lover's gibbering.
« I would love to » she answered, looking directly in Greg's eyes.
« Really?! You can come? You don't have like, a ton of extra chic parties to attend to? »
« Only one, truth to be told, but I despise it almost as much as my brother. Hence why both of us were planning to stay at Hogwarts this year. So there's no reason whatsoever to feel guilty about having me over. If you want to, that is »
« Of course I do! » Greg almost shouted, earning herself a lot of glares and a few angry « shhh! », which made Mycroft smile. The childlike innocence and enthusiasm of the younger girl had always been traits she found endearing.
« I'll write to her tonight then! » continued Greg happily, although a bit more hushed. In a flash, she got up from her chair to kiss a slightly surprised but nonetheless pleased Mycroft.
« Gregory dear, we're in the library remember? »
« I don't care! » she smirked before kissing her once more.
The last days of classes went in a flash and students were now geting jittery with the beginning of the vacations starting the following day. Some students were already asleep, the stress of the last week having taken its toll on them, while some others were scattered around the four houses' common rooms. In the Gryffondor one, there was a student that wasn't really at her place, but who couldn't move away because of a certain exhausted quidditch player laying on her lap.
«Seriously Myc, how are you still be able to read? I feel like my brain's about to explose » groaned Greg, burying her face against her girlfriend's stomach.
« That's what happens when you decide to double the quidditch practices of your team while still having to study for your N.E.W.T and catching up on your almost-late homeworks.»
Her free hand went up to massage her lover's head, which got her a soft purring groan of pleasure. She still wasn't used to perform this kind of soft little loving touches in a public space but the fact that not a single soul were paying them attention helped. She had not been really welcome at first, with her being a Slytherin, but when Greg had realized this, she took everyone by surprise – herself even more- by exclaiming that if someone had something to say about their relationship, to come straight at her, instead of whispering in their back like some little cowards. What really touched Mycroft was what she added afterwards; about how nice a person she actually was and that she didn't deserve any of the shit she had been through by simply being here. After that, Greg's popularity almost didn't suffer and people stopped paying them attention when they realized their relationship wasn't a simple fling. That didn't mean some stopped disliking her – which didn't bother her at all, she was impervious to what other people thought of her- but at least they left her alone.
« Don't rub it in » she thought she heard Greg groan.
« I'm merely stating a fact dear » she replied unphased/unmoved. « Like I am when I'm saying we'll be going back to your family tomorrow. »
Greg turned her head back enough that she could talk clearly, with a gigantic grin on her face.
« Can't wait for you to meet my mom! I'm sure you'll like her, she's awesome! »
« I'm sure she is » Mycroft smiled back. She was on the verge of adding something when Greg let out a jaw-cracking yawn.
« You really should go to bed, you're exhausted. And the train leaves early tomorrow » she added instead.
The older girl rubbed her eyes and stretched. « Hummmm....Think I will. Can I have my goodnight kiss? » she teased, still managing to act like a mischievious brat even is she was half-asleep.
« Fine » Mycroft sighed, fakely irritated, before complying. It was a soft kiss, a simple press of lips together, but it was full of tenderness. « Now go » She retrieved her hand from Greg's hair, to let her girlfriend enough space to get up. With a few groans and another jaw-cracking yawn, the younger girl was on her way towards her bedroom, waving goodbye to a still sitting Mycroft.
The train ride back to King's Cross station went as quietly and uneventfully as a train filled with surexcited students could go. Mycroft had to keep an eye on some of the young Slytherins who tried to pull some pranks on the other students. Meanwhile, Greg spent time with some of her Gryffondor's friends. Once the train arrived at destination, both went for their luggages before meeting at their rendezvous point. It was an idea from Mycroft who wasn't fond of trying to find her girlfriend in the moving crowd of students and other passersby. Though, as she almost stumble as people bumped into her for the second time, she thought it was maybe people in general she wasn't fond of.
« Let me take that » a familiar voice whispered in her ear as she felt her small luggage being taken away from her to be replaced by a warm hand. She didn't need to turn her head to know who it was.
« I'm surprised you could find me in all this chaos » she replied, surprise tinging her voice.
Greg laughed a bit. « Wasn't easy, that's for sure but...I will always manage to find you » she finished more seriously. A strange warmth, both unnerving and comforting, settled at the pit of Mycroft's stomach. They walked in comfortable silence for a while, following the movement of the crowd towards the exit of the 9 ¾ platform. They waited their turn before walking through the magical barrier separating their world from the muggles' one and once that was done, Mycroft let Greg lead the way.
« There she is! » Greg finally declared, pointing at a woman leaning against a pillar, patiently waiting. Tall, blonde hair only beginning to gray, clothed casually. « Mom! » the older girl cried out, waving her arm holding Mycroft's luggage to get the woman's attention. Mycroft could have pinpointed the exact moment she did, the smile on her face a clear indication. Greg let go of her hand and put down carefully her luggage before lunging herself at the older woman. Clearly used to this kind of demonstration, the woman didn't even flinch but instead hugged her daughter tighter. They stayed entangled for a moment, exchanging soft words. People passing by smiled at the scene and Mycroft found that she couldn't resist either. They ended up separating only for Greg to make presentations.
« Mom, this is Mycroft. Mycroft, my mum »
« So you're the infamous Mycroft Holmes my daughter has been rambling about non-stop in her letters », she said, a mischievious smile on her face as her daughter's face turned an interesting shade of red.
« Yes, it's my pleasure to finally be able to.... »she didn't even had the time to finish her sentence before she was engulfed in a warm tight hug. Freezing in surprise, she looked up at Greg only to get an encouraging smile in return. She really wasn't used to such public displays of affection but she did manage to wrap her arms loosely around the older woman's frame. She was finally let free after a short moment, but both of Greg's mother hands were still holding on her upper arms.
« No need for such formal talk. You're part of the family so there's no need to make such a fuss ». She looked at them both. « You must be tired from the ride, so let's hurry home to get you settled? »
« Sounds like a good plan mom » Greg answered, still smiling. Locking Mycroft's arm with hers, the older woman and the slightly uneasy Mycroft started walking towards the exit, followed by a giggedy grinning Greg.
Except for the long and tedious ride back in a taxi, everything else went surprisingly well from that moment on. The young Slytherin settled her things in her girlfriend's room – a camp bed having been set there especially for her – and they easily took on a routine in the following days. They all ate breakfast together, a sleepy Greg tagging behind an already dressed Mycroft most days, before being left to do whatever they wanted until dinner. Greg's mother being a popular novelist, she didn't really had Christmas vacations like usual people, but they still managed to partake in a few activities with the three of them together. They decorated the tree together - with Mycroft scolding them from getting distracted and ending up in a throwing competition of some white stuff that was supposed to be fake snow from what she gathered- and prepared the meal more or less effectively. Mycroft felt like a small kid stuck in a different and slightly prehistoric world because she didn't know how half the things worked. Having been raised in a wealthy pureblood family had made her used to people doing chores for her and magic helping her out with the rest. But not once had Greg or her mother scolded her or made her feel stupid for not having any prior experience of living in the muggle world. Though her girlfriend did laugh to the point of tears when she had asked a bookclerck, during one of their errands, if they had any book about dragons with more accurate photographies. She had almost lost her temper for being treated like some stupid child.
« For them, dragons are mythical creatures, they don't exist. So you asking for actual photographs of them sounds ludicrous », tried Greg to reason a still huffing Mycroft.
But now, the decorations were set up, the food was on the plates and they were sitting around the table chatting peacefully. She zoned out for an instant, observing the scene before her eyes. For years she had thought that sentiment wasn' t useful in the least, harmful even, but now, as she was sitting besides her lover, she realized she was grateful for having been proven wrong. In that precise moment, she was happy and that was all that matter.
My piece for the Summer Mystrade Exchange for mitarashi8! :)
They're supposed to be in their.. younger years.. something like their twenties! :) I hope you like it...
PS... I can't take all of the credit, because I did use a base for this.. I couldn't get the position right, then it was creeping closer to today and I panicked and used one ^^''..
Finally getting around to posting my submission for the wonderful Johnlockscocks. Sorry it took so long this idea may or may not have come to me at 8pm last night... I will say that it is better than what I'd originally written.
I hope you like it, if you read it on A03 forgive my formatting, I'm not really used to the website.
