I agree with b. The author should decide if there is romance, and who it is dealing with. It's an aspect of the plot. If it can be decided by the reader, then it is not essential to the plot, and is just useless fluff.

However a I disagree on. Romance can be the defining point of a story. Harry's relaitonship with Meciel is pivotal! You can't deny that. If their relalationship furthers, it changes the whole plot. It's a major conflict within the story –– hell, Harry/Meciel is probably a bigger confilct than Harry/Voldemort, since Harry doesn't have much problem pulling through physical tests of strength or will.


If Shezza is as good an author as I think he is, then I think he has had an idea of where the plot is going for a long time. Probably since the story's inception. With this thought in mind, I reread the first 12 chapters and paid special attention to the interaciton of Meciel/Harry and Amanda/Harry.

Meciel/Harry is very one-sided. Meciel tempts Harry. Harry acknowledges that Meciel is using him, that she doesn't love him (but he does think she cares about him) like he does. Harry is devoed to Meciel, but is Meciel devoed to Harry? This is the question and the underlying conflict. Will Harry betray Meciel? Will Meciel betray Harry?

Amanda/Harry is also very one-sided. Well, as far as we can tell without extrapolating too much:

Typical reaction, yes, but this seems to be a common occurence between Harry and Amanda, they're always around each other, exposed.

Amanda isn't even scared she's a hostage... she doesn't really consider Harry a threat to her.

Amanda is unsettled by Harry early on. He confuses her. It's apparent she likes him. In later chapters, she puts up with Harry's insults and mannerisms to her family, friends, and even herself. She insists that Harry is good and just under all of his bravado. Harry denies it constantly, and again, without trying to read between the lines, it does seem like he is truly denying her (he gets frustrated when she presses her opinion on him). But, all of his denials are sarcastic, so I don't know if we can be totally sure.

It all depends on the plot: If Harry is slowly redeemed, then he will probably be romantically involved with Amanda at some point. If Meciel, for whatever reason, truly begins to love him (I see no indication of her loving him yet; she has called him "beloved" since the beginning; her attitude towards Harry has not shifted much, although she is very impressed by him) then it will end with Harry and her remaining together. Personally, I find the first idea more plausible, since the second does not invite much change for Harry, the protagonist of this story, whereas in the first idea, Harry is very much changed by the end of this story.

I don't think it can be both, though. It'll be either or, I really doubt Harry will have his cake and eat it too. He's not that lucky. Plus, I think Harry destroying Meciel (or at least parting from her) but also finding happiness is a proper ending, neither mushy nor overly dark and gritty (which feels contrived).

But whatever the ending may be, I'm sure Shezza will do it justice. Whether Harry ends up with nothing or everything (or both), I'm confident that whether Amanda or Meciel is there or not will be of little relative consequence. The plot is what's important.

 

There have been several times when Harry has sensed "deep affection" coming from Meciel that she was trying to hide.

I'm sure Shezza said somewhere that this wasn't going to be redeemed!Harry...

 

Hmm really? Then it may be Harry/Meciel after all.

Perhaps not totally redeemed, but I can't see Harry staying as he is... forever. The way he acts is funny and amusing, but it's a little childish.

 

Alternatively, Harry finds love in the arms of Vesper.

 

That would be teenage rebellion at its best.

 

I think he might have some trouble when she spreads her legs to reveal the pit of Sarlacc.

 

I'm dying to see a conclusion to the Harry/Cess one, if she can fit a whole strawberry in there at once... I wonder how far that mouth can really stretch.

But a Harry/Vesper one might be fun as well.

 

This is a stupid poll. Can't we have both?

 

Romance/Sex with demon/fallen angel would be so much more interesting...

I vote Harry/Meciel.

 

I'm cringing already. Something seriously hawt, like Harry/Charity? You just KNOW you'd hit that.

 

Damn it! I remember at one point there were equal numbers of Harry/Meciel and Harry/Amanda. The fates sung to me that we would outnumber the heathens and pagans soon enough. They were wrong...

That aside, Harry/Hope, dear god what has the world come to?

 

Why is there all this talk of loyalty and betrayal? Why did Harry get a holy sword from God? Why is Harry always the one to do "good" in the end? It just seemed more likely that Harry would be the one changed, not Amanda. Although assuredly, Harry corrupting Amanda is as hot as hell.

Harry/Hope... only if there's a spell that ages her or something. Harry can fuck animals and demons for all I care... but cute innocent children? *tear

 

I love the way the story is going and don't seriously want to see this happen, but it could be a nice little AU side story to have Amanda kissed by a Dementor, then Meciel taking over her body.

 

Amanda or Meciel? Hmm... I opt for hot man-love as in Harry/Michael. With Bottom!Harry naturally, he is such a pussy in that story.

Actually I think that pairings just doesn't matter there. Not much anyway.

 

Okay, you just made me feel a lot better about myself for NOT being the only one who's thought of that...