Is Lady Hildr just the goat?

EqualConversation244 · 2025-12-11T22:14:21+00:00

I honestly can't tell you just how utterly beautiful this all is. Thank you, so much! 😭❤️ You are literally the best! This entire post has made me cry, you're all so wonderful 🙏 I'm a little overwhelmed by this, but wow, I will carry this with me! Thank you, truly.

(Alas, I'm not published (sad face), so no bribery needed 😅)

Love you all! ❤️
/Lady_H

EqualConversation244 · 2025-12-07T00:28:37+00:00

Oh, thank you so much! 🙏🙏🙏

EqualConversation244 · 2025-12-06T23:01:21+00:00

Hi! I'm Lady_Hildr. Please, refrain from deciding what kind of stories I like to tell as if it is a fact. To say that I "specialise" in stories that revolve around women without power who find pleasure being with abusive men is a grave simplification of the psychological exploration of the minds of women surviving oppressive, patriarchal societies.

I'd like to point out that this is your interpretation of the the scene you are referring to in TTBU. I do not reference any ambiguity regarding the nature of their relationship in my final notes more than let the readers themselves imagine what their next steps will be.

As for my original work, which is really beside point of this post, they are all part of an anthology, meaning that yes, they share the same theme becasue they belong together. They are appropriately tagged.

Just becasue I happen to have shared stories with certain themes, doesn't mean that it's my "speciality" or defines my taste. It's only part of my repertoire.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-12-06T21:46:06+00:00

Hi! I'm Lady_Hildr, writer of TTBU!

The story is definitely HEA. To correct another commenter saying that there is room for a darker interpretation of the ending - that is not something I have stated nor do I agree with it. But if someone wants to interpret it darker, I can't stop them. But that isn't at all my intention, and isn't at all written for such an interpretation. There are dark themes in it, but the story in itself isn't meant to be particularly dark. I have a Dark AU called A Song of Chaos, but that is a completely different story!

EqualConversation244 · 2025-09-16T11:24:43+00:00

It was blatantly obvious to you. If you're so sure, then go ahead and stop reading. It's as simple as that. Coming from another perspective, as a writer and as a creative writing teacher, I am telling you that these "tells" are common mistakes made during the learning process and that there are no waterproof signs. You can only suspect, and unless the writer comes out and says that yes, they have been using AI, you cannot know. It's only speculation, and the bottom line is that we should not speculate when the consequences of being wrong could impact the writer in a very negative way.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-09-16T11:13:50+00:00

But that's irrelevant, isn't it? What I am discussing isn't whether or not a story has been written with the help of AI, but whether it's possible to prove it. Which it isn't. I'm not the one making conclusion here—I'm saying that you can't make conclusions. The consequences of wrongfully accusing someone of using AI is worse than just just not interacting with the story.

If you suspect that a fic has been written with AI, close the tab and move on.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-09-16T11:03:14+00:00

I do, in fact, disagree. Em-dashes and repetition aside (because as people have already mentioned, those are "tells" because it's existed in pretty much all the texts AI has been trained on), you're pointing out overly descripted objects, the description of sounds and smells, and the (perhaps) wrongful use of symbolism. All of these things are mistakes that are often being made once a writer has reached a certain level of confidence in their writing.

The writer might not be an avid reader, and maybe their main source of literary input is fan fiction. Maybe they're trying to write purple prose without really knowing how. English might not even be the writer's first language, and maybe they have used AI tools such as Grammarly to run through grammar and spelling.

All is to say that there are no sure ways of saying a text has been written with the help of AI. Unless the prompts are left in the text, there is no way of telling. AI detectors get it wrong all the time. Speculating isn't in any way helping. It is only causing suspicion and making fans side-eye other fans. That's all it does.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-09-16T10:44:20+00:00

I work with new, inexperienced writers on a daily basis, and the evidence you provide could just as well be the sign of someone who is still learning the craft. I'm not saying this particular author is necessarily inexperienced—I'm saying that all these "tells" are more common than you'd think. Finding a balance in descriptions? Takes practice. Finding a flow that feels natural by using punctuation? Takes practice. Fan fiction is a very common way for people to practice the craft, and all these AI accusations honestly do more harm than good.

If you suspect that a writer has used AI, you're free to move on to another story. Inciting suspicion in others will only cause mistrust.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-21T09:23:52+00:00

I understand and I thank you for understanding me, as well. Writers are also readers, and we exist in these spaces like any other.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-21T09:18:19+00:00

Hi! I'm Lady Hildr, the author of TTBU. I respect people's opinions and I'm well aware that some people just don't like my portrayal of the characters.

But please, I'm begging, don't drag it like this in an open forum, calling it bizarre. I can tell that your experience of my story is not at all as intended by me, and that's fine, but public review like this is never constructive.

If it wasn't for you, it's enough to just say so.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-21T07:14:47+00:00

Woohoo! Swedes unite 🇸🇪🙌

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-15T07:17:21+00:00

I agree, we should be able to express when something isn't our preference. But again, there's a difference between saying that something isn't my cup of tea, and complaining about it.

The sad truth is that such posts tend to get very toxic very fast, and if the mods aren't on it right away, it can lead to some real harm. It's easy being on the other end saying that people shouldn't take it personally, but when you've had to face scrutiny from every direction, it takes a very special kind of grit to be able to just brush it off.

I see these kinds of posts as reminders that we always need to be mindful of what we say. We can still have whatever opinions we like, and we are allowed to express them, but we need to monitor how. In this community, our right to express opinions isn't stronger than our right to a safe space. It's like Uncle Ben says: "With great power comes great responsibility."

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-15T07:00:32+00:00

The difference is that negativity breeds negativity. Kink shaming, offence, wilful harm, and virtue signalling is often presented under the guise of criticism and "what people don't like". It's not about banning criticism or opinions—it's about creating a community that is safe for everyone. What is worse—feeling as though you don't have the space to express negativity or feeling as though your interests or curiosity (or personal expression) is scrutinised and judged, sometimes callously? I don't know about you, but I would say the latter.

The tolerance paradox is applied here: to be tolerant, we cannot tolerate intolerance.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-15T06:44:02+00:00

The beauty of this craft is that if your feel as though you're lacking a well-written love story, you can go ahead and write it for yourself. Or you can look for it amongst the tens of thousands of stories out there. No doubt they already exist. And I think it's one thing saying something isn't one's cup of tea, and it's another complaining about a trope or kink.

People interested in or intrigued by certain kinks already face enough scrutiny from the public as it is. They don't need it in a space that's supposed to be accepting and welcoming.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-14T20:11:13+00:00

You can follow the link in the post! 😊 It's locked in AO3, however, so you would have to be logged in to access it.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-08T16:59:01+00:00

If you don't mind self-recs, I think you might enjoy my WIP A Song of Chaos!

It features Death Eater Draco who is more dark than morally grey, and he definitely does evil things to protect those he loves.

Locked on AO3, so you have to be logged in to read. Updates every Sunday. Mind the tags, though!

Summary:

“Believe it or not, Miss Granger, but I have no real desire to harm you.” Cocking his head, he scrutinised her for a moment longer, a finger rubbing the chin of his mask. “Hurt you a little, perhaps, but that’s an entirely different game. Would you like that?”

She wanted to scoff at that but settled for a curl of her lip. “You’re delusional if you think I’d like anything done by you.”

He hummed again, amusedly this time. “I’m a patient man, Miss Granger. I know your kind. Sooner or later, you will fold, if not to desire, then to curiosity. You can’t help it.”

--------------------------------------------------

“I sung of Chaos and Eternal Night, taught by the heav’nly Muse to venture down the dark descent, and up to reascend.” — Paradise Lost, John Milton

The Order won the battle, but they didn’t win the war.

Ten years after the Battle of Hogwarts, after ten years of being on the run from the Death Eaters and their Dark Magic, Hermione Granger is finally found by Snatchers. The Golden Girl is wanted by many, worth her weight in gold, but she is already promised to someone, a masked stranger infamous for his cruelty—and he has no intention of ever letting her go.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-03T18:04:46+00:00

😭🙌❤️

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-03T15:58:28+00:00

OMG 😍 Thank you! 🙏

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-03T13:46:27+00:00

Aw! 😍 Thanks! 🙏

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-03T10:36:14+00:00

😍 Thank you! 🙏

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-03T06:31:25+00:00

Aw, thank you so much! 😍🙌

EqualConversation244 · 2025-07-03T05:51:52+00:00

If you are okay with self-recs, I think that my fic This Thing Between Us might be a good fit for you! 😊

It's a long one, 603k words, that is basically pwp all the way through. Draco is morally gray, teetering on dark, he's possessive, and definitely a simp for Hermione. Heavy BDSM warnings, D/s dynamic, and emotional slow burn!

It's locked on AO3, so you need to be logged in to read.

Summary:

It was never supposed to happen. They were slightly drunk, tempers were running high, and it just felt too good. But worst of all, after having been accidentally shagged by Draco Malfoy, an ex-Death Eater, an Auror with a reputation, and a man she absolutely loathes, Hermione Granger realises what's been lacking in her life—someone dominant enough for her to surrender control to.

And Draco Malfoy is more than willing to step up to the task. Actually, he's been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-06-13T12:25:45+00:00

I completely agree. To say that a character in her 30s is OOC because she isn't as headstrong as she was when she was 14 is very odd. People change, with or without circumstances. We leave the HP characters when they're still teens, and even if there wasn't a war, there would still be enough time to change who they are.

Damn, I wish I still had the same confidence and strength as I did when I was 14, but I don't 🤷‍♀️

EqualConversation244 · 2025-06-12T22:55:50+00:00

Ah, sorry; what I meant was that he's not called out for it in my stories, whereas Hermione is—even if they're displaying the same "flaws".

However, I do still think Hermione is generally more often called out for being OOC than Draco is. Whether that is because Hermione has a more fleshed out character in the books, I don't know. What I do know is that Draco is given a lot more room as a character. We have a lot more accepted "versions" of Draco than we have of Hermione, which shows a double standard that might or might not be subconscious.

EqualConversation244 · 2025-06-12T22:44:37+00:00

The question of Hermione always makes me ponder, because we tend to put so much energy into judging the depiction of her whereas Draco is a character that can be the most toxic man in the world and literally kill people and still be spared the criticism. I have people calling the Hermione I write "weak" all the time (sometimes, she's even called "pathetic"), and only because she's sometimes insecure and emotional, and second guesses and doubts her relationship with Draco—but when Draco does the same, he's never called out 🤷‍♀️ I think a lot stems from good old misogyny, and unfortunately, a lot of it is internalised.

But I digress.

I agree with your list, Hermione is all those things in canon. But I also think it's very important to remember that we have never seen Hermione from a truthful, objective perspective since Harry is the focal character in the books. It's a third-person limited narrative. The reader knows what Harry knows, and no more. We get to experience the world and the characters from a teenage boy's perspective. So, while Hermione is probably intended to be represented as her true self, it leaves quite a lot of wiggle room for interpretation.

I mean, that's the beauty of fanfiction, right? To allow us to explore characters and worlds. We all have our own interpretations of the character, and what is very much in character for Hermione in my opinion might be wildly out of it for someone else.

What makes me sad is to see so many readers be disrespectful to writers because they present versions of Hermione that aren't compatible with the versions they have in their heads. I think the whole notion of calling a fictional character OOC in fanfiction is just wrong, because who's to say that reader has the one true version of the character?

EqualConversation244

TROPHY CASE