Current mood:	nervous
Current music:	dra-co maaaal-foy

Please do not make other posts to Nraged for discussion of/linkage to this post. Please confine all your comments and replies and utterances of shock and disbelief to this post only. Feel free to do and say whatever you want in your own journals--but on the community please limit the discussion to this thread. We're trying to keep the discussion about this particular post as contained and controlled as possible.

The events surrounding this post, and in fact the post itself, have been pre-planned for months, well in advance of the formation of nraged. We want to make sure that each of the fans of nocturne_alley understand that this post is in no way a representation of any of the views of NA players. Its content has not been taken lightly to any degree, by any of the members of NA; it is something that is happening with the full consent of each of the roleplayers. It is something we realise will be controversial; and we ask you, our fans, to please trust that none of us, neither potterstinks' roleplayer nor anyone else in NA, are in any way condoning Draco's actions or statements.

For me personally, this post is about being as true to the canon portrayal of Draco Malfoy as the player can be, even at the expense of his/her personal feelings on this issue. Personally, I view it as an accomplishment of characterisation at all costs, and I am very proud of the player for having the guts to do it. It was not an easy decision--it was one that was taken very seriously and one that we hope you will trust us with. It is also a decision that I think will ultimately make NA a better roleplay, and potterstinks a better human being.

(316 comments) - (Post a new comment)

Well done! xnera 2003-04-25 08:00 pm UTC (link)

*stands up and applauds the players* THANK YOU! I had been worried for a time that we were heading into the romance between Harry and Draco too quickly. Experience has taught me that it's the thrill of the chase, the "will they or won't they" that keeps the audience interested. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped watching a TV show once my favorite characters finally got together. Yes, this can only be good for Nocturne Alley. This will keep the drama going, which is exactly what I want. Thanks again! You guys rock! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	foreversended 2003-04-25 08:04 pm UTC (link)
	*agrees* It'd be a bit soon if they got together so quickly, so this, I suppose, could be pleasant torture :) Go NA players! <333 (Reply to this) (Parent)

	imochan 2003-04-25 08:05 pm UTC (link)
	Oh. My. God. That is not an idle insult. I can no longer use my gay chicken icons. ;_; (Reply to this) (Thread)

	non_inferno 2003-04-25 09:28 pm UTC (link)
	This has ruined icons for everyone. It is saddening. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 09:35 pm UTC

(no subject) - non_inferno, 2003-04-25 09:38 pm UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 09:42 pm UTC

(no subject) - notapipe, 2003-04-26 07:22 am UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-26 07:47 am UTC

luleh 2003-04-25 08:09 pm UTC (link)

On the one hand, I wanted fluffy bunniesm, sunshine, daisies and skipping through fields, but on the other hand, the drama and the anticipation and the build towards something is definitely exciting and intriguing and frustrating and just what makes it all so worth while. And more kudos for the player and the game for keeping things as IC as possible. Now, to speculate as to what brought this on? More denial tricks? Was Draco freaked by something that happened during the golf book expedition or after the exchange with Harry in his journal and has retreated even further into HET!HET!HET! land? He knows that ignoring Harry didn't work, Harry just kept on trying. But if Harry hates him, he might be left alone in his denial land. (Reply to this)

whoyouinvent 2003-04-25 08:11 pm UTC (link)

What I'm wondering is, why does Draco haul out the homophobia now, against Harry, who is not openly gay, and not against Cho, Ginny, Charlie, Fred, Dean, Seamus, Sirius, Lupin, Snape or really, his own father (although I see not mentioning it with Lucius)? I'm also glad that this is happening, because I feel we sometimes immerse ourselves into a fandom world where homosexuality is readily accepted and often, the norm. This is simply not the truth in the real world, and I'm glad NA is broaching the subject fully. Bravo. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	imochan 2003-04-25 08:12 pm UTC (link)
	Because, apparently, Harry was gay AT him I am so distraught. Cannot possibly cope. Someone DO something! (Reply to this) (Parent)

(no subject) - karabou, 2003-04-25 08:16 pm UTC

(no subject) - sheron, 2003-04-25 08:36 pm UTC

(no subject) - anamirza, 2003-04-25 09:03 pm UTC

(no subject) - katrrrina, 2003-04-25 08:58 pm UTC

(no subject) - notapipe, 2003-04-26 07:27 am UTC

	cacklebang 2003-04-25 08:15 pm UTC (link)
	It's hard to describe my feelings on it, but I'm glad a post like that was made. While it seems a little late in coming, it does hold true to character. (Reply to this)

xnera 2003-04-25 08:16 pm UTC (link)

It is something we realise will be controversial; and we ask you, our fans, to please trust that none of us, neither potterstinks' roleplayer nor anyone else in NA, are in any way condoning Draco's actions or statements. In retrospect I realise you're referring to this statement by Draco: And I'll be returning the stupid golf clubs you bought, as I'd prefer to remain in good health. I don't accept gifts from queers. in which he implies that homosexuals are diseased and tries to insult them by calling them queers. Yes, I can see how this may be controversial. And yes, I did gasp a bit at that last sentence. *ponders* though I don't think it was because I thought it was unneccessarily harsh, but because I could imagine Harry might be hurt by it. And also, it says a lot about Draco's denial of his own gayness. A lot. Still, i think you're right, vanityfair: this was a very in character post for potterstinks. The truth is that there are people out there who are homophobic, and as much as that may be disturbing to some people, you can't deny the truth. And I stand by what I said earlier: this is only going to make the roleplay that much more interesting, because now Draco has to get over his own fears of his sexuality. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	sheron 2003-04-25 08:40 pm UTC (link)
	Maybe you're right, but I rather thought 'good health' refered to this since draco posted pretty soon after that comment was made. Maybe I'm just clinging to hope. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - xnera, 2003-04-25 08:51 pm UTC

Re: - sheron, 2003-04-25 08:52 pm UTC

Re: - sheron, 2003-04-25 08:53 pm UTC

zedmeister 2003-04-25 08:16 pm UTC (link)

I completely understand why you felt the need to make this notice, Aja, although I'd like to think that all of the members of nraged would have understood that the post in no way indicated homophobia on the part of PS's player. As a plot development, it *is* in character and a logical extension of his personality as developed this far. So no problems there. I have to wonder, though, if I have masochistic tendencies, since my first thought upon reading It is also a decision that I think will ultimately make NA a better roleplay, and potterstinks a better human being. was "aww, she just killed the angst!" Knowing that it will turn out for the better somehow makes the emotional torture less sweet. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	imochan 2003-04-25 08:18 pm UTC (link)
	Knowing that it will turn out for the better somehow makes the emotional torture less sweet. I can handle knowing!!!! I can really handle!!!!! methinks i am too weak for this game. and i thought i had a handle on angst. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - zorb, 2003-04-25 08:22 pm UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 08:23 pm UTC

(no subject) - zorb, 2003-04-25 08:42 pm UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 08:45 pm UTC

(no subject) - zorb, 2003-04-25 09:00 pm UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 09:03 pm UTC

(no subject) - notapipe, 2003-04-26 07:33 am UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-26 07:48 am UTC

(no subject) - notapipe, 2003-04-26 07:52 am UTC

sistermagpie 2003-04-25 08:17 pm UTC (link)

Let's see...what's going on today: Narcissa publically announces to Hogwarts that she's a Harry Potter fan. Yes, I think Draco feels like Harry's on his way to stealing his mother. Colin announces this to the rest of Hogwarts, just in case anybody else couldn't make the connection. Today is the day Draco's "punishment" ends, meaning that possibly Lucius had that long chat with Draco today. Lucius has been watching his journal. Did Lucius have anything to do with this? Because this is definitely the kind of thing Lucius could get Draco to do with little trouble. I don't know if there was anything specific between ps and j_h that we didn't see here, but I think Draco hexing the legs off of chairs makes it clear that wasn't necessary. It's possibly j_h did something that freaked ps out, but that wasn't my first assumption on reading the post. I admit I was confused as to why there was any controversy before I got it. (Duh!) Not because I call people "queer" ever, but I because I do think NA is basically realistic. It's not gritty, but these are supposed to be real kids. And sixteen year old boys, especially ones in a panic about proving their own masculinity (which Draco clearly is whether he is gay or not, thanks to Lucius) throw around the word queer pretty easily. Not sure how j_h will react. On one hand I think he'll know where this is coming from. On the other hand, Harry in canon is not afraid to kick Draco's ass and I feel like that might be the best thing for j_h to do this time. This is clearly ps's flat-out boldest attempt to push Harry away. As perverse as it is, ps's plan here must be for Harry to go back to the Gryffindors and be surrounded by Colin and Ron telling him "I told you so," while Harry agrees they were right. It sounds bizarre, but I can't imagine ps imagining any other outcome from this. He's trying to go back to the way things were before, obviously. I hope Harry surprises him by not returning to the status quo. Like I said, my own instinct says Harry should just confront the little bastard. He might just clam up and pretend Draco doesn't exist and refuse to talk about it to anyone. Or he might do the most obvious thing, what I think ps expects. Who knows? Refresh refresh refresh. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	cacklebang 2003-04-25 08:22 pm UTC (link)
	And again, you make an insanely insightful comment that makes me nod and say "Yeah! What she said!" (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 08:27 pm UTC

(no subject) - cacklebang, 2003-04-25 08:30 pm UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 08:34 pm UTC

(no subject) - margolia, 2003-04-25 08:33 pm UTC

(no subject) - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 08:49 pm UTC

(no subject) - luleh, 2003-04-25 08:26 pm UTC

(no subject) - zedmeister, 2003-04-25 08:28 pm UTC

(no subject) - sheron, 2003-04-25 09:11 pm UTC

(no subject) - wednesday_tea, 2003-04-25 09:26 pm UTC

	(Anonymous) 2003-04-25 08:21 pm UTC (link)
	I'm wondering that something might have happened during the last 24 hrs? I feel so hopeless. But glad to finally know what'd actually happened that night. (Reply to this) (Thread)

sistermagpie 2003-04-25 08:31 pm UTC (link)

Well, we know Draco's version of it. I do wonder exactly how he responded to that kiss and if Harry actually did it or if ps freaked out too quickly. Because Harry has seemed quite confident with him recently, with the flirting etc. I get the feeling Harry knows Draco was interested back but as usual making things difficult. I don't know...there's always more to a story than what ps says about it. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2003-04-25 09:04 pm UTC

	zedmeister 2003-04-25 08:30 pm UTC (link)
	I've heard of long incarcerations, but I hardly knew that Azkaban turned its prisoners into whores. Which is all I can say for you. Professor. *sigh* There's more than a grain of truth in that. (Reply to this) (Thread)

sistermagpie 2003-04-25 08:36 pm UTC (link)

Yeah. I admit I was a little amused by Seamus' post, just because to me it's all too obvious that ps knows that people are gay or they aren't--and he is. So it was kind of funny having Seamus lecture him on his ignorance just because this isn't what this is about at all. I mean, Seamus was very intelligent and mature and all, it was just sort of slightly to the left of what was going on. Interesting that Harry was already out to them, though. That makes things a little easier for him. A very little. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - zedmeister, 2003-04-25 09:24 pm UTC

(no subject) - karabou, 2003-04-25 08:41 pm UTC

(no subject) - zedmeister, 2003-04-25 09:09 pm UTC

(no subject) - moony, 2003-04-26 12:28 am UTC

(no subject) - sistermagpie, 2003-04-26 10:34 am UTC

(no subject) - zedmeister, 2003-04-26 10:39 am UTC

.... eponis 2003-04-25 08:35 pm UTC (link)

I'm sitting here in shock. My hand's been over my mouth, jaw dropped, for the last twenty minutes. Yes, I agree with what everyone else is saying. Yes, we all know that they're the OTP, la la la, this will be good for them and draw them together. For now, though, I'm weeping for J_H. The others - people like Seamus, Sirius, Cho - whom Draco insults - they're far enough away to know that he's being spiteful and hateful, and to get angry in return. For Harry, though, I'm frightened, and I want to bundle him up and hug him tightly, and I want to cry for him. ::sends out hugs to J_H, unsure of what else to do:: And part of me - the part of me that isn't still quivering in shock and anger - is crying for Draco, too, because he's upset and hurting, but all I can want to do is slap him in the face. To the players: tonight, more than ever before, I want to thank you. I didn't know I could be this deeply moved by characters. Thank you for being willing to take this step, because it showed us how real and painful these fairytales can be. And Seamus - tonight, I love you more than ever. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: .... xnera 2003-04-25 08:39 pm UTC (link)
	*dittos the love for Seamus* Am loving his posts tonight. And he's right -- potterstinks has taken away Harry's privelege to come out to his friends when he's ready. And oh, poor Harry! You'd think after all this time, that people would be more accepting, but even his best friends are horrified that he could be gay. That's got to hurt. (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: .... - blue_lightning, 2003-04-26 10:33 am UTC

Re: .... - delirieuse, 2003-04-26 09:17 pm UTC

Oh. my. god. (Anonymous) 2003-04-25 08:37 pm UTC (link)

You all seem to be taking this pretty calmly, but I feel almost sick right now. It's brilliantly in character, of course...and bravo to the player because the angst is deliciously painful and all that...but I hurt for Harry. :*( I can't help it; I love that boy, and Draco just pretty much gutted him for all to see. It's amazingly well done because this is canon Draco, in all his fuckhead glory...but I'm aching for Harry right now. :( :( :( must remember it's not real... :p Interesting also how even Millicent and Pansy are all, "Wtf? Get over yourself." Oh, and I second all that sistermagpie said. :D (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Oh. my. god. taradiane 2003-04-25 08:43 pm UTC (link)
	You all seem to be taking this pretty calmly, but I feel almost sick right now. No, I'm with you there. Of course, I have my own reasons for why this thread cuts so deep. I don't think I can read any more. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	imochan 2003-04-25 08:39 pm UTC (link)
	wah? Seamus? o_o I am so anxiouswithworryandeeeek. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	zorb 2003-04-25 08:47 pm UTC (link)
	*was just about to link that* Holy freaking shit, dude. Just...whoa. Mad props to the players. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 08:48 pm UTC

(no subject) - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 08:53 pm UTC

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 08:55 pm UTC

(no subject) - zedmeister, 2003-04-25 08:59 pm UTC

(no subject) - zorb, 2003-04-25 09:16 pm UTC

(no subject) - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 09:16 pm UTC

(no subject) - zorb, 2003-04-25 08:53 pm UTC

(no subject) - chickadilly, 2003-04-25 09:03 pm UTC

	margolia 2003-04-25 08:44 pm UTC (link)
	aaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!! :screams in frustration and rushes off to hug just_harry: (Reply to this) (Thread)

	nightflight 2003-04-25 08:46 pm UTC (link)
	You just beat me to posting that. ;_;;;;;;;; ::runs off with you:: (Reply to this) (Parent)

(no subject) - zedmeister, 2003-04-25 08:46 pm UTC

(no subject) - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 09:00 pm UTC

(no subject) - anamirza, 2003-04-25 09:07 pm UTC

*cries* xnera 2003-04-25 08:46 pm UTC (link)

Narcissa thinks Draco is behaving oddly! Oh, that's got to hurt Draco, especially if he really is jealous over all the time Harry got to spend with Narcissa. First his father doesn't speak to him for two weeks, and now his mother's not supporting him. Granted, I don't agree with Draco's attitude (even if it is in character) but I know how important it is to have the support and understanding of your parents. *hugs Draco* (Reply to this)

*SEETHES* (Anonymous) 2003-04-25 09:01 pm UTC (link)

Justin: Wait... is that why Potter wanted me to fly with him?! I knew that was a little funny! Oh my God! Ernie: I TOLD YOU THAT WAS FISHY!!!!! He didn't... he didn't touch you or anything, did he? Oh no they didn't OH NO THEY DIDN'T *screams* This really fucking pisses me off. I can't take this. Wtf did Harry ever do to deserve this AND WHY IS IT BOTHERING ME SO MUCH IT'S AN RPG FOR GOD'S SAKE! *weak laughter* PS's post about being surprised to Seamus outing Harry confused me. I thought PS had already done a bang up job of it. I don't think I can read anymore right now. Not when it's Harry. I want to string Draco up, and those stupid Hufflepuffs too. "He didn't touch you or anything, did he?" For fuck's sake... I'll look at it again tomorrow. *cuddles Harry doll* (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: *SEETHES* (Anonymous) 2003-04-25 09:03 pm UTC (link)
	And I think Ron should definitely go talk to Harry, but he's still in denial so Hermione should be there too. *motherly instinct going into overdrive for Harry* (Reply to this) (Parent)

	xnera 2003-04-25 09:01 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, and I want to run away with arithmantra. I've really been enjoying her posts lately. She's so cool. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	sistermagpie 2003-04-25 09:04 pm UTC (link)
	She so is. Don't know what else I can say. It's like she's an actual teacher or something.;-) (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - notapipe, 2003-04-26 07:53 am UTC

sistermagpie 2003-04-25 09:10 pm UTC (link)

I find my eyes rolling at Narcissa's latest post. She and Lucius raised Draco to be a little gentleman and an aristocrat? Ahem. They raised Draco to be a bigoted, homophobic little jackass. And now that Narcissa has spent a happy week with Remus and Sirius she's decided oh, maybe gay people are just wonderful and she was wrong? (Wonder if she'd feel differently if she noticed the Sirius/Lupin stuff.) See, this is what makes me so mad for this character (Draco) in canon. He's worked really hard to internalize all of the stupid, hateful messages his father and mother have taught him, and then everyone expects him to either spontaneously change them or have the subtlety to hide them. I hope arithmanthra delivers smackdown on Narcissa for that one. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	xnera 2003-04-25 09:35 pm UTC (link)
	And she does! (Reply to this) (Parent)

Lucius idlewind 2003-04-25 09:14 pm UTC (link)

Wow... This is so visceral, it's just. Wow. I blame Lucius for, if not all of this, most of it. He's spent Draco's entire life telling Draco that he is superior and that others are less then he is by accident of birth. Even if he never said anything about gays-- It isn't such a big step from hating the Muggleborn to gay bashing. And now that Lucius is finally talking to him again? Draco is trying to make him proud by being the bastard he was raised to be. It's sad. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Lucius sistermagpie 2003-04-25 09:21 pm UTC (link)
	I'm glad this is sparking a fight between Draco and Narcissa, though. I was very happy to see Draco mention how Narcissa keeps pointing out how much she sacrifices for him. He's just totally all over it. Lucius is strangely silent. I suspect he will come in and approve and give us all shivers down the spine. Ask Potter. Yeah, that's what this is all about. (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

Re: Lucius - idlewind, 2003-04-25 09:34 pm UTC

Re: Lucius - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 09:43 pm UTC

Re: Lucius - idlewind, 2003-04-25 10:01 pm UTC

Re: Lucius - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 10:23 pm UTC

Re: Lucius - courteney, 2003-04-25 10:30 pm UTC

Re: Lucius - sistermagpie, 2003-04-25 10:53 pm UTC

	margolia 2003-04-25 09:16 pm UTC (link)
	Oh thank you! potions_master!!!! :applauds: (Reply to this) (Thread)

	zorb 2003-04-25 09:17 pm UTC (link)
	Go Snape! *waves flag* (Reply to this) (Parent)

(no subject) - imochan, 2003-04-25 09:18 pm UTC

(no subject) - ishuca, 2003-04-25 09:21 pm UTC

(no subject) - wednesday_tea, 2003-04-25 09:41 pm UTC

(no subject) - hermione_like, 2003-04-25 10:02 pm UTC

O_O wednesday_tea 2003-04-25 09:18 pm UTC (link)

Oh my god. Wow. This is just.... unexpected? Damn. I'm just sitting here in shock, and my stomach feels like it's dropped into the floor. My fingers are numb. I think that I have grown too dependent on this soap opera. But... the scary thing is is that this recation makes sense, and though I hate it... just wow. Damn good job. Even though I feel SO bad for just_harry... *WAILS* I'm going to go be unarticulate now, goodbye. (Reply to this)

moonlitpages 2003-04-25 09:20 pm UTC (link)

I second most of the sentiments above- especially the more well articulated ones as I'm too tired and shocked to really pull one together at the moment (even though I shouldn't be, I knew a backlash was coming- I just hadn't expected it to be quite this strong but that shows me eh?). But, as said by others, I'd be willing to bet my right arm that Lucius had his 'talk' with Draco already. Well, you have to hand it to Draco. When he is hurting, he pulls the whole damn world down around him and tries to make everyone suffer even more in comparison. Highest props and accolades to all of the players at NA, for orchestrating and playing this out so well. And hopefully there isn't anyone who disagrees with Aja's public service announcement of sorts and thinks poorly on the players for any of this. Well done, all of you. Sleep now...and yet I can't tear myself away. Damn them ;-) (Reply to this)

	cirakaite 2003-04-25 09:26 pm UTC (link)
	*hugs and accolades to all the NA players* This is so realistic, and so well done, that reading the posts has made me cry. You're all brilliant, and no one will be able to say that J_H and PS fell together too easily. And the unintentional outing at school? Too real for words. I went through the same thing . . . (Reply to this)

	Some support for Harry eponis 2003-04-25 09:29 pm UTC (link)
	I know that it's silly, but I felt so badly for Harry that I sent him an e-mail of encouragement and support. His address, from Hermione's SPEW page, is potter@nocturnealley.net. If this is a silly thing to do (i.e. clogging a player's mailbox), could a player please tell me? Otherwise, it might be a kind way to show support. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Some support for Harry ishuca 2003-04-25 09:32 pm UTC (link)
	oh, god, that could be an excellent idea- though J_H would probably have his inbox flooded in no time. and although that could compromise the seperation of game and fandom, he does know that 'muggles' know about nocturne alley, so... :cuddles J_H: (Reply to this) (Parent)

Re: Some support for Harry - bookshop, 2003-04-25 09:45 pm UTC

	justapresence 2003-04-25 09:30 pm UTC (link)
	What I want to see now is what J_H will post. Gah. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	xnera 2003-04-25 09:39 pm UTC (link)
	I know! I've been refreshing the home page and friends page over and over, waiting for a post from either him or Ron. Damn it, why do they have to spring stuff like this on nights when I need to go to bed early? (Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)

(no subject) - sheron, 2003-04-25 09:55 pm UTC

(no subject) - justapresence, 2003-04-25 10:15 pm UTC

Re: - sheron, 2003-04-25 10:19 pm UTC

(no subject) - justapresence, 2003-04-25 10:22 pm UTC

Re: - sheron, 2003-04-25 10:27 pm UTC

(no subject) - justapresence, 2003-04-25 10:35 pm UTC

(no subject) - justapresence, 2003-04-25 10:12 pm UTC

(no subject) - non_inferno, 2003-04-25 09:45 pm UTC

(no subject) - justapresence, 2003-04-25 10:16 pm UTC

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(316 comments) - (Post a new comment)