Lumos

Chapter Forty-Two: "Casting On"

A/N: Hello everyone!

I hope we all had an excellent couple of weeks? Thank you so much for the kindness and encouragement on the last chapter. <3 <3 You all are so wonderful, and knowing that Lumos has brought a smile to anyone's face completely makes my day. Thank you so much for taking the time to read, comment, and/or kudos. And thank you for just being generally lovely people. <3

For those wondering, my "hug potion" went well. I've got a second dose on the way later this month. <3

Alright. Now for some real talk. Lumos will be switching to an every-other-week upload schedule moving forward. <3

Over the last year, the people closest to me have been steadfastly encouraging me to shift permanently to a biweekly upload schedule. I've not wanted to do this for reasons highlighted in previous chapter notes. 

I'm a bit nervous to make this announcement, and a bit sad as well. 

I can't exactly put into words how much I've adored being a regular part of your Mondays [Or Tuesdays, if I'm running late]. When I started writing last year, I sort of fell into the Burrow and found myself comforted by the noise and the people and the feeling of not being alone. I adore submerging myself in George and Hermione's lives. For quite some time, slowing down simply wasn't something I had interest in. That's still something I very much enjoy about writing this fic, but it's important that I make sure I'm doing that writing sustainably. <3 <3 <3 

It's been [almost] a whole year, and I think I've taken fewer than five break weeks in that time. However, each time I took one, I usually found myself feeling creatively refreshed and excited to sort out the writing I had to get done. I've learned that having a couple of days to unwind without pressure after a new chapter is a necessary piece of my writing process.

I'm sorry if this is disappointing or discouraging, but I think this change will improve my writing. <3 Originally, I had planned to tough it out until the end, since we are getting closer. [For those curious: I will give a heads up when we're 4 chapters out.] But at this point, I'm very confident that this change will be the best move for my mental health and for the fic. Thank you so much to everyone who has voiced support and encouraged me in finding healthy balances, and thank you to everyone for patience through this process. <3 <3

I want to stick the landing on this, and for those of you who've come along for the ride, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for the patience, for the encouragement, and for the kindness. <3 <3 <3

Moving onto less weepy territory—

As always, I do not own the rights to this story world or to these characters.

Happy birthday to i.really.like.fruit! <3 I hope your day is excellent. :)

Also: Happy birthday to the_navistar_carol, as well. You are an excellent goob of the highest order, and I hope you have a remarkable day. <3 

Playlist:
"My Heart's In the Highlands" by Peter Breiner & Don Gillis (Feb. 11, 7:09 p.m. – Feb. 12, 5:30 p.m.)
"New Rules" by Vitamin String Quartet (Feb. 12, 8:45 p.m. –until Hermione arrives)
"Warriors" by Imagine Dragons (Feb. 12, 8:45 p.m. –at Hermione's arrival; I suggest cranking it up).
"Toxic" by 2WEI (Feb. 12, 8:45 p.m. –when George starts casting Glisseos).
"Clocks" by Vitamin String Quartet (Feb. 12, 8:45 p.m. –after George says "Pardon?")
"Fall On Me" by A Great Big World (Feb. 12, 9:34 p.m. –when Hermione says "This is my spot.")
"One Day" by Kainbeats (Feb. 13, 1:04 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.)
"Fireworks" by Nicholas Hopper (February 14, 5:07 p.m.)
"Fernando" by ABBA (Feb. 14 –You'll know).
"I Hear a Symphony" by Cody Fry/"Feels Like This" by Maisie Peters (Feb. 14, 6:14 p.m. –after Fred and Angelina floo, throughout the rest of the chapter intermixed with Fernando bits, and especially for the knitting).