Part 5 : The World-Building
No matter where you live and what kind of government you have, there will always be at least one thing to complain about regarding politics. It's the bane of the human race, the bottomless pit of opinion and the cause of all major world conflicts. People just….aren't satisfied! While you are not trying to run for Minister of Magic, your characters certainly have something to say for the way their life is being run. This is your chance to create some justice in your written microcosm.
Big Brother is always watching
Every member of your fictional government is an incompetent, small-minded, unsympathetic dimwit. At least that's what you want to translate to your readers who, after the euphoric high of your previous chapters, will need to be grounded and aware of the more technical aspects of your world. After all, why else would they allow your poor couple to be forced into marriage against their will?
You do not have to be a political expert to craft a believable system. The big details are all that are required. Some big figures to remember: Rufus Scrimgeour and Cornelius Fudge. Dolores Umbridge and Voldemort could also be two figures that readers will recognize as being universal baddies. Up your creativity by creating a whole cast of supporting OC's who want nothing more than to make the magical citizens absolutely miserable in their matrimony and you've got yourself half a chapter of content that is bound to showcase your talents as a well-informed member of society and to turn all your 'haters' from viewing your fanfiction as a self-indulgence romance/smut into a heavy political melodrama: a story with substance.
Katniss Everdeen on Line 2
One of your characters is rightfully upset at the Wizengameot for providing such terrible customer services to its citizens. Use one of the more outspoken members of your cast to fulfil this role and really stick it to the Big Man.
"
Molly Weasley storms up the steps of the Ministry and demands an audience with Minister Fudge. As soon as she sees the stout little man, she's all up in his grill and wagging her fingers in his pudgy face.
"What kind of a law is this? Where are my tax galleons going to? You must annuel my daughter's marriage to that…that…monster," Molly yells.
"No can do ma'am," says Fudge. "You know that we cannot undo a law that everyone has voted for-"
"Merlin's arse you can't! You're the Minister aren't you? That's got to count for something. My poor Ginny is married to a Death Eater and that's not right!" Molly bellows.
"
Phew, now that we have that out of the way, it's time to bring our attention back to our OTP. What are they doing now? Cohabitating, of course! It's not without a whole bunch of…
Hurdles and obstacles
"Pick your socks off the floor!"
If you've ever had a roommate or shared a bedroom with siblings, you are likely already aware of how difficult it is to share living arrangements!
Although your OTP is wedding and bedded, it doesn't mean they don't want the other beheaded when they find the toilet seat up in the lavatory or hair in the shower drain.
"
Draco's annoyed groan resonates from the bedroom. Then he appears, blacker than night in the living room .
"Your little shit once again left pink hair on my robes," Draco sneers, picking pink hairs off his black woolen robes.
"It's a pygmy puff!" Ginny snaps back. "Maybe if your precious owl wasn't always trying to catch it for a snack, it wouldn't be hiding in your robes."
"Whatever-"
"
"Mother (in law) knows best"
Your characters are in for a rude awakening when a third party, mainly a parent or a friend comes to visit for tea, instantly pointing out all the issues in the newlyweds' household. This is an obvious point of contention because although your MC is not happy to be married, what they dislike even more is judgement on behalf of a parent regarding their way of coping with the situation. Remember when your MC's support group was so happy at the wedding? Well now they're sprouting venom under the guise of "friendly advice no one asked for."
"
Molly Weasley sticks up her nose in the kitchen. "Looks like these old cauldrons need to be put to use. Can't see past the layer of dust on these counters either."
Ginny is instantly annoyed that even here, her mother expects her to put everything aside and tend to the needs of her insufferable husband. "Draco doesn't eat with me."
"Maybe he would if you cooked more often. I did teach you better!" Molly says.
"
"JUST A LITTLE CHANGE" Good deeds don't go unpunished
Besides points of conflict, your OTP shows signs of unusual kindness towards one another.
Call me by your name
If one of your characters is older or previously in a position of authority, it is important to note the time when the MC calls them by their Christian name. This suggests closness and familiarity.
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"Mr Malfoy," Luna says shyly. "Can I tend to your peacocks on occasion?"
"Certainly," says Lucius. "And you are welcome to call me Lucius."
"Lucius," she says smiling. "I'd like that. You may call me Luna."
"The invitation is accepted."
"
Take your spouse to work day
Your Love Interest will show your MC what it really means to be Mr Voldemort, Mrs Malfoy, Mrs Greyback ext. by taking them to work and allowing them to aid in a project. Alternatively, have the Love Interest help your MC in a task of their own; quid pro quo.
"
"What exactly are we doing here?" Harry asks Tom. Harry's dressed in Slytherin Green velvet robes: expensive clothing by wizarding standards. The Dark Lord takes his hand.
"We'll be taking care of some unfinished business," he says silkily. In his hand is one of his Horcruxes that he decided to hide (yet again).
No sooner than they Apparate to London than does a crowd of Aurors surround them, shooting mercilessly at the duo. Harry finds himself shielded by Tom's powerful black magic. For a moment, he forgets that just a week ago he would have been on the opposite side of this raid.
"
Save the cat
Nothing melts your MC's heart more than seeing their cruel and surly love interest take care of an innocent little pet or being. The animal humanizes them beyond comparison. Alternatively, have the love interest take care of any other underprivileged member of society: the sick of St Mungo's, the orphans, struggling students, his mother.
"
Fenrir is bent over a small quivvering animal. Lavender instantly recognizes it as a one eyed, three legged, flea ridden, half tailed cat.
"Saved it from a gutter a year ago," he says, caressing its little body gently in his arms.
Lavender melts at the sight. She's never known the Killer-Werewolf had a soft side to him. "What's her name?"
"Miss Whiskers," says the man, blushing.
"Aww!" coos Lavander who simply adores cats.
"
"Get your dirty hands off my wife/husband!"
Like the 'Dog in the Manger", your character does not really want your partner, but what they hate more is seeing someone else put their hands all over them. Bonus points for using a third party who is your MC's ex or a universally unpleasant figure. In a pinch have your Love Interest stick it to the big, bad meanie Voldemort.
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"Bring Severus' dirty little Mudblood wife here," purrs the randy Dark Lord, robes open to reveal a glistening gray figure au naturel. "I'm in the mood for some nocturnal amusement."
He gestures to Bellatrix who is holding a half-to-death afraid Hermione at wand point before a room of Death Eaters.
"Not tonight bitches," thinks Severus. In an instant, all his magical prowess comes into play as he flicks his DE colleagues aside like roaches on an old shower curtain, hugs Hermione to his chest and Apparates away into the nothingness.
"
The culmination of squabbles and smoochies ends at the midpoint of your fanfiction with …
A GRAND GESTURE OF THEIR AFFECTION
One of your characters, likely the dominant one, finally decides to take the plunge deciding that the other person is for them. To mark their love, they give your MC what they really and truly desire.
"
Severus leads a blindfolded Hermione down a long corridor. When she finally opens her eyes, she nearly drops her knickers in awe. It's an entire library, magically stretched from wall to wall and filled to the brim with books.
"I am aware of your affection for reading." Severus gestures to the room.
"You're letting me read in your library? I don't know what to say," she stutters.
"YOUR library now too," he says, smiling.
"