The office told everyone to be on the lookout for hackers due to a security breach, but we weren't told they could go this far! 😫 New mouse cursor scenario! 😁
For a major reveal, the order of the reveal can matter almost as much as the content of it.
Consider the reveal that the main character previously killed a bad person. That reveal can happen all at once in the story, but consider what happens if you stretch it out throughout the story, giving the reader one piece of information at a time. What information goes first can change the entire dynamic of the story.
Consider these options:
they are dead and I killed them - they were bad
We've started with the knowledge that the person is dead and the main character killed them, and so the tension surrounds the question of why. The reader doesn't know yet that the person was bad, only that the main character killed them, and so this will likely shape their view of the main character.
they are dead - I killed them - they were bad
Breaking up the first component into two parts changes the tension--first, all we know is that the person is dead. This can be broken out even further if you want (they are dead - they were killed - I killed them) but the central tension is the same: how did they die, and by whose hand.
they were bad - they are dead and I killed them
In this case, we start with knowing that they were bad, which removes a lot of the tension--but at the start we don't know they are dad, so they remain a threat. Maybe they're someone the main character still fears, even if they're dead.
they were bad - they are dead - I killed them
Again, breaking out the reveal that the person is dead from who killed them provides an extra level of suspense--but in this case the reveal that the character killed them is likely one that brings more positive reader feelings to the character than in the earlier instances. It may also be the answer to a secret that other characters were trying to find out during the story.
they are dead - they were bad - I killed them
The central arc of this reveal becomes more about the character (no pun intended) of the person who is dead--especially if that first part also reveals that they were killed. The question that the arc of the reveal answer is why are they dead, and also how should the reader feel about their death, a feeling that will likely change once it's revealed that they were bad.
This is just one example of how the order of the reveal matters, but this exercise can work for any major reveal in a story. What are the central components of the reveal? How does the order in which they are shown or told to the reader change the tension and central questions of the story?
James/Remus
Where This Might Lead Us - by puuvillaa
Kingsley/Remus
Soothing Comfort - by piximera
Regulus/Remus
Hiding in Plain Sight - by MidnightStargazer
Severus/Remus
DoorDash - by nocturn
Food for Thought - by SafePlaceSnupin
The Great Divide - by Elvira_Kamgut
Safe - by Malinverno
Sleepless in Scotland - by multilingualism
Sirius/Remus
Ad Astra - by Swoops
all the hot singles in your area are dead - by atropos_aeneas
A New Chapter - by brandileigh2003
The beast in us - by Imjustherefortheshipping
Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered - by Clare_Mansfield
Catch Me When I Fall - by sliebman10
Chiaroscuro - by krabapple
For Love or Monet - by deathcabformoony
Half Moon Chocolate - by BrujaBanter
High Tide Came and Brought You to Me - by Lucigoo89
Let Me Touch You or The Five TImes Sirius Black Kissed Remus Lupin and the One Time Remus Kissed Him Back - by Sniper_Jade
The Many Phases of a Full Moon - by RebelWriter99
Sweets and Books - by Writer_INFJ_2w1
tell me that you're here forever, that you'll never leave - by ethereal_xo
the world will follow after - by emlovessid
used my best colors for your portrait - by littleoldrachel
Tonks/Remus
Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board - by roni_mac
The War - by Maplehelicopter
Reveals are here! *screams*
Unleashed! brought us 20(!!!) incredible works and we want to send the biggest thank you to everyone involved: our fantastic creators, who put their entire hearts into their works, their betas and cheerreaders, who worked their magic as always, and all the wonderful readers, who left comments and kudos. You all made working on this fest an absolute joy!
Now go have a look at who made what, so we can all scream about it together!
🐾
🐾 ART
Feathered and Fabulous (Draco/Harry, digital art, T) by @getawayfox
Draco runs a successful Instagram account for his pet peacock. Harry takes every opportunity to flirt.
how the hell... (Draco/Harry, digital art, G) by @the-houseryn
Harry has no idea how a white highland cow got inside 12 Grimmauld Place, nor why it seems to have a strange affinity for the fancy French chocolates one of his admirers keeps sending him...
Quiet as a mouse (Ron/Viktor, digital art, G) by @pato-roldnart
Based on this prompt: Hogwarts Fourth Year: While Ron is grateful for Pigwidgeon, he sometimes finds himself wistfully remembering the times he spent with 'Scabbers' -- before the reveal in Third Year, anyway. One such night, he's startled and wary to find a rat scampering around, until Viktor appears, looking for his escaped pet. They eventually bond over pets, grief, comfort, Quidditch, and many other things as they start to develop feelings for each other.
🐾 PODFIC
Because Cats by ICMezzo (Draco/Harry, 1.5-2hours, T) by Cailynwrites
Harry has a cat, and Draco doesn’t. Then Draco has a cat, and Harry doesn’t. Then Harry has a cat again, but Draco doesn’t. Then Draco has a cat, but Harry—OMG HOW WILL IT END.
🐾 FIC & ART
Trevor the Escape Artist (Neville/Pansy, 2.9, G) by DrPansyParkinson, Ecologycreature
Trevor the Master of Escape feels his reputation being ruined because a certain someone keeps successfully locating him and bringing him back to his owner. Trevor is often found in bathrooms because he likes humidity.
With Love in Her Luminous Eyes (Draco/Harry, 30k, T) by @starquestingfordrarry
The Demiguise lived in Grimmauld Place, and she lived all alone.
🐾 FIC
Birds Behaving Badly (Draco/Harry, 10.5k, E) by @peachpety
For eight years, Draco has been content living a quiet life of anonymity in Brighton, dodging pesky seagulls and enjoying the ephemeral boys of summer. And if these summer blokes just happen to resemble Harry Potter, it’s a mere coincidence—despite what his friends say. But when a repeat one-night stand challenges him to face his desires, Draco thinks he’s finally over his years-long crush. A seagull named Kevin thinks otherwise.
Charlie (Draco/Harry, 1.7k, T) by @kittycargo
Harry's trying not to be jealous that Charlie's moved in with Draco.
Harry Potter And The Dubious Rescue Of His Ferrety Boyfriend (Draco/Harry, 8.8, T) by Animamundi
Draco Malfoy always ends up getting bullied by other animals while in his Animagus form. Harry must rescue him again. Or must he?
It's Me or the Peacock (Draco/Harry, 4.5, T) by harrows
They’ve been together for two years when Draco finally moves into Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Only, Harry didn’t know he’d be bringing a pet with him.
misty morning comes again (Draco/Ron, 4.5k, M) by @the-houseryn
Every morning without snow on the ground or rain that turned the land into a slip and slide of mud and wet grass, Ron ran the property with his misfit herd of barnyard animals close behind him. The thrilling tease of watching Ron's solid, sweat-glistening body do its lap around the misty morning pond was just about the only thing that could get Draco willingly out of bed so soon after the summer sun rose. Barn chores and animal butts certainly weren't going to do it.
No capacity for feelings (Draco/Harry, 2.9k, T) by fast_brother
Draco's Basilisk might or might not be depressed. Whatever the case, he would never ask Harry Potter for help.
Of Magical Beings Being - Magical (Draco/Harry, 30k, E) by @rockingrobin69Out of the blue, Potter's letter says: I need your help. And Draco, ever a fool, goes. Cue magical houses, fluffy Beings with a sweet tooth, mutual pining level: infinity, and truly outrageous amounts of tea.
Peacocks of the Bride(groom) (Draco/Harry, 7k, T) by apricitydays, TempestuousBlue
The Big Day is here! Draco and Harry are finally getting hitched. Will the wedding be a smashing success or will peacock-induced chaos ensue? (It’s the latter, for sure)
Slithering up the garden path (Draco/Harry, 1.4k, G) by flightinflame
Draco just wants to read in the garden. He's not sure why there are so many snakes around.
Sun Shower (Draco/Harry, 5.9k, T) by @moonmanatee
Each afternoon, Harry and his cat lounge in their sitting room, make an elaborate snack, and then head out for a walk. When they run into a certain tall, pale-haired man and his scruffy dog, they find their routine shifting.
the strays (Draco/Harry, 13.8k, T) by @owl-of-fandom
Draco befriends stray animals in his back garden, unknowing that one of them is actually an animagus.
Two cute foxes, one embarrassing rant (Harry/Fred/George, 1k, G) by HadrianPeverellBlack
Fred and George needed a role of their own, even considering how they were Fred & George and not Fred and George. And, if no one had made the effort to recognize them, to distinguish them, they would have managed to be seen and noticed. At least that was his due to them. This didn't mean they wouldn't want to be appreciated for who they were.
Waiting for the Moon to Rise (Draco/Harry, 8.9, E) by @wolfpants
When Harry and Draco move into Grimmauld Place straight out of Hogwarts, the last person they expect to find taking up residence is Bill ‘divorced, dishevelled, and dangerous’ Weasley. But what if their new, furry little problem is the help they need to finally bring them closer? Stranger things have happened, Draco supposes.
Wings and Slings (Draco/Harry, 24k, T) by @steampunkserpent27
After the war, Draco Malfoy decides to turn over a new leaf and in doing so, opens an animal sanctuary for sick and homeless magical creatures. Everything is going well, until he is given a feral herd of hippogriffs and has to ask for outside help to be able to get anywhere near them. Only, it's the very last person he would have asked for help from.
Amos 4:13 (NLT) -
For the LORD is the one who shaped the mountains,
stirs up the winds, and reveals His thoughts to mankind.
He turns the light of dawn into darkness
and treads on the heights of the earth.
The LORD God of Heaven’s Armies is His name!
Fic: Like a Promise • Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley • 1.4k • Rated T
By: letsdothepanic
Fic: Coming Out (With A New Style) • Luna Lovegood & Harry Potter • 1.9k • Rated G
By: daydreamerdisease
3 April
Fic: the mortifying ordeal of being • Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter • 33.3k • Rated M
By: Piarelei
4 April
Art: Pride [Art] • Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter • Rated G
By: Melcarrianna
5 April
Art: Just For You • Remus Lupin/Severus Snape • Rated T
By: SafePlaceSnupin
Fic: Edges • Sirius Black & Remus Lupin & Peter Pettigrew & James Potter • 0.6k • Rated T
By: lightinthehallway
Art: S.T.R.A.P. • Hermione Granger • Rated G
By: Tpants
Fic: when who you once were sheds its skin (for the new you) • Harry Potter • 5.7k • Rated G
By: BitterArm
6 April
Fic: Zeitgeist • Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy, Lily Evans Potter/Severus Snape • 54k • Rated E
By: hsvh
7 April
Fic: only half of what I think I can be • Scorpius Malfoy/Hugo Weasley • 7.4k • Rated G
By: Lalalaartje, MoonlitMarauder
Fic: Rat Skulls and Turkey Tails • Harry Potter/Severus Snape • 15.4k • Rated E
By: GulJeri, GulJerry
Fic: Love is a dress that you wear • Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter/Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter • 16.9k • Rated E
By: deliciousblizzardshark
10 April
Fic: a foundation on which to build • Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter • 19.6k • Rated T
By: beyondtheclose
Art: i lay flowers at the altar of you/ metamorphosis [ART] • Luna Lovegood/Pansy Parkinson • Rated G
By: honeybeet
11 April
Fic: Dappled Light • Lily Evans Potter & Severus Snape, Severus Snape/Other(s) • 4.6k • Rated M
By: zephyrP
Fic: Percy Weasley and the Chamber of Secrets • Penelope Clearwater & Percy Weasley • 16.9k • Rated T
By: AverageFish
Fic: a dragon mum • Charlie Weasley • 2.3k • Rated G
By: artsyspikedhair
Fic: Midnight and Royal Blue • Sirius Black/Remus Lupin • 10k • Rated G
By: SebbiGrey
12 April
Fic: The Difference • Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy • 23k • Rated E
By: DontStopHerNow
Art: [ART] Their special announcement • Luna Lovegood/Ginny Weasley • Rated G
By: digthewriter
13 April
Fic: Bound Together • Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy/Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy/Severus Snape, Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy/Severus Snape • 5.1k • Rated E
By: DrWhoIsGinnyHolmes
Fic: hot cocoa, warm hugs • Sirius Black & Remus Lupin & Harry Potter, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin • 3.8k • Rated T
By: teddy_writes_not_ted_talks
14 April
Fic: The Life and Death of Regina Black • Regulus Black • 6.2k • Rated M
By: Sniper_Jade
Fic: I call for your name (is that right?) • Regulus Black/Remus Lupin • 8k • Rated T
By: remolupini
Fic: Perfect Little Life • Regulus Black/James Potter • 6.5k • Rated E
By: CRAmber
17 April
Fic: (They) Keep Me Warm • Hermione Granger/Harry Potter/Ron Weasley • 5.8k • Rated E
By: Basicallyahedgehog
18 April
Fic: eat your young • Regulus Black/James Potter • 1.5k • Rated E
By: rosechaser
20 April
Fic: you will seem more like being • Nymphadora Tonks • 6.9k • Rated T
By: elskan_ellis
Fic: Salvation Is Inside Me • Remus Lupin • 0.6k • Rated M
By: daydreamerdisease
21 April
Podfic: [Podfic] the way you make me glow • Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter • Podfic length: 1:14:14 • Rated M
By: roseszain
Fic: Burlesque (With a Twist) • Harry Potter/Tom Riddle • 14.4k • Rated M
By: apocalypseWallflower
Fic: Into the Fire • Draco Malfoy/Charlie Weasley • 4.3k • Rated M
By: Aneiria
28 April
Fic: romantic vivisection • Lily Evans Potter & Severus Snape • 1.7k • Rated M
By: reveriesque
29 April
Fic: Cinderella’s not Dead, just wearing different shoes • Lucius Malfoy/Narcissa Black Malfoy, Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter • 1.1k • Rated T
By: BerserkerRose
Art: charitable explorations • Sirius Black & James Potter, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin • Rated G
By: oh_gilderoy