Postscript
Alright. Time for a quick rant on the writing process and acknowledgements and whatnot.
Hello! I'm cafésdeshanghai, a girl from Shanghai. I lived there since third grade, and to me, it's home. I am currently a freshman at the University of Washington, Seattle, and ever since receiving my acceptance letter, I've been really excited to go. However, as we all know, covid hit pretty hard, and as a result, I remained in China for most of my freshman year.
Fortunately, China managed to get rid of covid in a matter of months, and by the summer of 2020, things had opened up. Life had returned to normal (except for my sleeping schedule, of course, because zoom university is rather cancerous). I had a lot of free time on my hands, and what better to spend it on than a bit of exploring?
Thus, I wasted far too many afternoons in the cafés of Xuhui writing away, had far too many midnight walks on the streets of Jing'an, and spent far too many days at Lujiazui surrounded by glittering skyscrapers. I had always loved Shanghai, but that summer, I found myself falling in love with the city more than I even thought was possible. No matter where I am in the world, Shanghai will forever hold a piece of my heart.
However, through it all, I was also fascinated by the concept of loneliness. The isolation of quarantine. The screaming need to be with people. Family, friends, anyone, really. Yet, at the same time, the feeling of both loneliness and comfort of being surrounded by a thousand people as well. To be a nameless face in a rustling crowd, lost and forgotten in space and time.
This story came from a shower thought, because that's always where inspiration strikes. In that moment, I saw a glimpse of Draco and Harry sitting at a glowing golden bar where my friends once took me for my eighteenth birthday. I knew that they hated each other. But, at the same time, needed each other. I remembered my thoughts and feelings on loneliness, and my wanderings in the depths of Shanghai. I knew that there was also a serial killer involved as well, because I've watched way too much Hannibal. And just like that, I began to write.
Now, eight months later… We're done! Wow! I can't believe it! We're done! We made it! To the end! I know that 77K words isn't a lot, certainly not compared to the incredible writers out there on Ao3, but I started this project thinking that I'd give up halfway (my draft document is literally called 'Hope I don't regret this'), but making it to the end… I'm stunned. I'm still in shock. But through it all, so incredibly grateful.
Ok. Now that I've gotten that out of my system, time to start on the acknowledgements!
Firstly, an immense thank-you to my two incredible betas – CC and MS. Without you guys, this story would never have happened. I would have most certainly given up halfway. But it's truly thanks to your love and support and criticism that I'm able to keep on going and finish this baby. I love you both so much, with every inch of this beating, over-caffeinated heart.
CC: I am forever indebted to you for introducing me to Drarry. You know Draco better than I ever will, and it's only thanks to you that I'm able to keep him in-character. You are the reason why I'm able to bring him to life. Your encouragement is always the highlight of my day, and thank you for being the one pushing me onwards whenever I feel like giving up. I am so grateful for you, not just for editing for me, but also for being such an incredible friend and the bringer of so many beautiful things. You have brought so much joy to my life, and I am so thankful.
MS: I have been writing with you for the last seven years, and it is and forever will be an honor and delight to continue working with you. I'm so incredibly grateful for your encouragement, but even more so for your criticism. You are really unafraid to pick at the littlest of details, and roast the hell out of me whenever you see something off. On one hand, it does bruise my ego. But at the same time, it challenges me to be a better writer than ever, and I credit any and all improvement to you. You are truly one of the most inspiring individuals I've ever met, an incredible friend, and words cannot express how grateful I am that you are in my life. Thank you so much for everything.
Last but not least, thank you dear reader for making it to the end, or just clicking into it to check it out, or for just reading the summary! Your kudos and comments, your love and support… all if it means so much to me. I'm literally on cloud nine after reading every comment and encouragement, and I'm so infinitely grateful that you decided to give me a chance to entertain you for a few hours. I know I'm saying this over and over and it could be getting quite redundant, but I am thankful. So, so, so, thankful.