Fic Question- Help needed

[tarotgal]

Because as anyone in RL can tell you, I'm the most indecisive person you'll ever meet... I need some help with the fic for this weekly hatching. I've been DYING to write this fic since I read the bunny- but didn't start the fic until it was picked, to be fair. Now that I've started it, I need some help.

Patient Zero. I don't want it to be a Gryffindor or a Slytherin, because of later "plot" elements. And I don't *think* I want it to be a member of the faculty/staff. I guess it could... but I don't want all the blame to be placed on Hagrid or someone like that.

So the question is- who?

And first off, when? I'd like to set the fic during year 3 because of Remus (of course) as well as Percy and Oliver and the older students. But... well, sniffly little kids aren't so much fun for me. So I could always do an AU 6th/7th year where Remus comes in to tutor or something. But, yeah, AU's aren't really my thing either.

So I'm leaning towards 3rd year still. But as far as the first one to get sick... anyone have any suggestions? I'm tempted to make it Cedric... the poor Hufflepuffs are already kicked around. They can handle the blame, I think. I mean, I could always go Ravenclaw. And I would prefer to make it a recognized student to start out with, rather than an OC. So anyone have any thoughts/advice?

Of course, I could always just scratch all this and make it Marauder era... but I have so many Marauder fics open at the moment that I'd rather not.

But... still... when? Who? Anybody have any suggestions for me? Or must I torture poor Ced?

Comments

[ladykorana.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...maybe you could make it Cho Chang, if you want a Ravenclaw, though I know she doesn't show up all that much until book 4. She plays Quidditch, right? You could fall back on the 'practicing-in-the-rain' idea.

Another thought is maybe the whole thing could be started as a Weasley twins' prank. Patient zero could be the random student unfortunate enough to pick up the rigged sweet. Could also be a magical accident of some sorts. Not sure I like this idea as much as a natural illness though...just a thought.

[tarotgal]

I'm tackling this entry before getting to your great feedback *beams*

Great ideas, all. Thanks! I've actually already written the part where the cause is identified (just one of those things going around). But I'm definitely filing the Weasley twin prank idea away for further use :-)
As for Cho... assuming I do it during year three, I'm definitely using Cho/Cedric as the "transmission point" so to speak between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. Which is one reason I didn't want to start with Cedric. Wanted him to catch it and pass it over. So it'd make the most sense to select someone else from Hufflepuff... maybe his year... or someone else from the team...
Not that Cho and Cedric were together then, but there could be some budding romance at that point, I think. But, then again, it could be the other way around. Ravenclaw to Hufflepuff, I mean. Hmmm. But, yeah, so that's where I stand at the moment I think.

[gayleshy.livejournal.com]

I really like the Cedric idea. There are no fics about him and he's really cool. I can't wait to read what you get when you finish. Gayle

[tarotgal]

I love Cedric, too. :-) I tear up/cry at the end of book 4 every time. He'll definitely be in the fic, whoever I decide to start with.
But thanks for your input! I'm definitely leaning towards him now :-)

[(Anonymous)]

I vote for Cedric too!
I can't wait to read it!

Tina