Ooo, that cage of dreams sounds fascinating. it's a little like the mirror of erised, although the mirror only showed your deepest desire, not the outcomes of all possible dreams. Still, a weak willed person might waste their life looking into the box instead of actually living. This is also a very scarey chapter as Murdock seems very intent on possessing the cage of dreams one way or another. I'm also wondering if Murdock is hovering outside Draco's window on a broom all day under a demiguise cloak so he can catch Draco hiding the box and so find out where it is. You've also left a big question mark over the voice behind the cupboard door.
I'm quite surprised that Draco hid the cage of dreams again, but quite proud too. Can't help but wonder if Harry Potter had been the one to discover it, whether he would've put it back. Also, does it show what truly would've happened if for example Draco went home, or was that the worst possible result? If Draco had excellent mind control like Snape for instance, would he have been more capable of controling the power of the box and therefore seen a more accurate vision? Sorry, I just find this a fascinating magical object. I also thought the description Murdock gave of his wife's condition very upsetting, I almost felt sorry for him at one point, almost.
Oo, yet another chapter full of suspense. I have the strangest feeling that the roses Narcissa gave Draco are enchanted so that when he offers the second to Pansy they'll be betrothed. Also, it appears he's put both the Rose and and his unopened letter in his cloak, perhaps he'll mix the envelopes up and give Pansy his letter by mistake. I see i guessed right about Murdock watching Draco from the window. I'm now wondering what significance the ring Draco found has, was it that which gave him the ability to find the cage of dreams, is the ring enchanted somehow to make him more obediant towards Lucius wishes, he hasn't disobeyed him since putting it on desppite wanting to.
Hmm, I'm beginning to like certain characteristics you've built into Draco. He seemed a little Gryffindorish towards the end of this chapter, although maybe being brave doesn't necessarily mean you should be in Gryffindore. I mean, take Snape for instance, he was terrifically brave, but in a quiet inner strength sort of way as opposed to open heroism as is usually rue of Gryffindores. I'd love to know what the letter was all about, if this was during chamber of secrets then it might've referred to bullying people into getting Dumbledore sacked, but I'm intrigued as to what it refers to at this point. Sorry if i'm being particularly dense. I'm surprised Narcissa could remain conscious after three bottles of fire wiskey. I think my favourite scene in this chapter was Draco telling Lucius that if he was to hit anyone it shouldn't be Narcissa, very Hufflepuff of him, such loyalty.
Lily Evans and James Potter share absolutely nothing in common, not even their feelings for each other. Lily, perceived as a ‘model student,’ detests the handsome, popular, Quidditch star James, who she thinks to be something of a git. James, on the contrary, has been infatuated with Lily for years, and has let her and the whole school know it.
As time progresses into Voldemort’s ‘reign of terror,’ the two have to learn to trust, tolerate, and love each other.
Please note, this story is incomplete, and will likely remain so for a long time. I apologize!
I'm extremely wound up from that chapter, my insides are writhing awfully. I loved the charmed parchment idea, such an original way to tell Lily she'd be working with James for the foreseable future. Came in very handy though didn't it? It's awful about Lily's parents, but she probably hadn't time to take it in. Just like the ministry to turn up late, you'd think they'd detect magic in an underage witch's house and send her a warning or something, quite useless aren't they>? No wonder Voldemort got as far as he did. It always amazes me why they never put a trace on the AK spell, it'd be easy to catch death eaters that way. Sorry, I'm rambling again, great fic.
I love the holiday package idea, it really is true, necessity is the mother of invention. I bet loads of fic writers only come up with such ideas because they need a new way to travel or a spell for this or that, excellent! I love new magical gadgets, spells, creatures, anything really so hope there are more to come. Anyway, other than that this chapter was quite somber, and Dumbledore's last conversation gave me a rather ominous feeling, Could he be talking about a series of prophecies, or am i barking up the wrong tree? lets find out
I really enjoy transitionhal chapters myself, gives you time for all the events in the action packed chapters to sink in. And despite your hating composing sorting hat songs, this one came out rather well.
Funny how when there aren't any drastic circumstances James and Lily donh't know how to communicate. Marlene seems a little overbearing, but thats always the case, quiet people pair up with loud people so as to balance one another out. It must be awful for Lily, I mean it's only been a few days and it mustn't feel real yet. Oh, and what do you mean you missed James' birthday, isn't it in March? Oh and i loved your disclaimer, very funny.
It amazes me that Marlene didn't realise Lily would feel awful going back home. And what was Dumbledore thinking? Couldn't he have just sent someone else? I guess it's because some people aren't as affected by things, they handle things in diefferent ways, take my three brothers and I as an example, we all react completely differently, I cry, one gets angry, one is easy going and the other goes through phases of all three. I'm glad Lily took the parchment, it may come in handy again. And I think James is finally growing up and the others haven't quite caught on yet.
Wow, I never thought Harry would be so much like his Father, James did divination and made up his homework too, oh wait, is that just common of most students? Anyway, I loved this chapter, and particularly Sirius asking out a girl who he'd two timed and been hexed by without knowing it. I loved the interaction between James and Lily, hope they keep becoming more friendly then she'll see he isn't as bad as she once thought. The ending was good, makes people wonder what happened on the way to divination.
I don't like Mick musch either, because he's getting in the way of james and Lily's friendship, if james lets his envy get the better of him he'll have gone one step forward and twenty steps back. Oh, and I don't blame him at all for leaving Snape tied up, he was going to walk away but Snape wouldn't let it go so he deserves everything he gets. I like Snape's character in canon, think he's quite a hero in the end, but that doesn't stop him being a git.
I loved James teasing Lily over the ghosts, but i'm afraid she'll work out Remus is a werewolf. Also, I despise Petunia for that letter, how much worse can she get? I'm a little confused at Marlene's reaction to james comforting Lily, is she afraid he'll take advantage or something, or is it more to do with her brother? Perhaps if she knew the whole truth about 'that night', she'd be a little more forgiving. Oh, and great job with Sirius indignation at James' refusal to be involved in a prank, very IC.
Wow, what an ending, but I'm not sure that was the best thing for James to suggest. Oh well, quick painless and now they can forget it, or can they? I loved the sound of the dress robes, and Lily's memories. And the snow angels, it's sad, but once we get old we forget how magical it is being a kid.
That was excellent, I thought the way you dealt with Lily's memories in her old home and the blackness taking her over was very real, grief does that. Anyway, I'm guessing she goes to James house. And I'm afraid I don't dislike Marlene as much as i thought, i mean she didn't know the full story did she? And perhaps she was only looking out for her brother, after all family comes first.
I knew it! I knew she'd go to James. This chapter was wonderful, I actually felt comfortable reading it, as though i was there with the easy humour between James and Sirius and the all welcoming Mrs Potter and the beautiful things James said to Lily at the end there. It's so nice to see them communicating properly for once, I think it's perhaps because they weren't around a crowd. I guess at school Lily feels she has to act the same towards James as she always has and thats what got she and Marlene into such a pickle. If she'd got on with James from the begining of the year like she seemed to want, then there mightn't've been such a blow up. Anyway, excellent chapter, my favourite so far i think.
This fic just gets better and better. The depth of feeling in this chapter was immeasurable.
Oh, i forgot to say, regarding Marlene, I HATE HER!
That was awful, but sometimes we do think horrid things that we would never say outloud because we know they'll hurt pointlessly. Even if it were the case that James father was targetted because of Lily, which is possible knowing how twisted Voldemort is, she couldn't have known, or done anything to stop it. Oh please let them get over this.
Oh dear, I was so hoping they'd make up and be together before the end of this last available chapter. I'm going to add this to my favourites just in case you update at some point.
Excerpt from story: Merlin, he was going soft, Draco thought as he tried not to grimace. He'd start spouting off poetry in a minute if he wasn't careful. This whole love thing was sending him round the twist.
What a horrid chapter, Regan's opening beautiful birthday gifts while Draco's being tortured and murdered by Voldemort. Sorry, didn't mean to suggest that the chapter was any less brilliant than the rest of the fic, it's just the cruel irony of it all. And I'm so upset that Regan and Draco won't have more time together. The gifts were lovely though, and the one she liked best was the least expensive and most heartfelt. My favourite was Harry's though.