06/01/09
Hello! I'm Julia and when I'm not cavorting with elves in Middle Earth, I'm a moderator for this archive, among other things.
Poetry, Anyone? I am the resident Poet Laureate over on the Beta Boards as leader of this fun little group. We have monthly challenges all with a Harry Potter twist. You can also find solid and comprehensive critique for any poems and help for all your archive-based concerns.
Susan Bones Book Club. I am the leader of this fun little group. Each month the SBBC chooses two to three fics from the archives to discuss. We also have monthly drabble activities and an incredibly lively chat thread. We accept new members at all times so if you're interested go and take a look. It's open to all members of the beta boards. If you have any questions or concerns then don't hesitate to PM me.
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The Chartreuse Chanteuse by Gmariam
Rated: 6th-7th Years •
Summary: Five years after his experience in the Vanishing Cabinet, Graham Montague is a different man: a man still struggling to recover, to live, to love. Yet a chance meeting with a young singer at a bar changes him in more ways than one...
Written for the Rainbow Challenge in the Great Hall by Gmariam of Ravenclaw.
Date: 10/07/13 Title: Chapter 1: Fifty Shades of Chartreuse
There’s something about this fic that makes me feel a bit fuzzy inside no matter how many times I read it. I think it’s the way the conversation at the bar flows so naturally, the vivid imagery, and Graham’s realisation at the end. He does go through somewhat of a journey, and I always enjoy that journey even though I know the twist at the end now.
It’s always nice to spot the details you leave along the way that indicate Megan is not who she seems - the way the barmaid looks at him strangely because he’s sitting there talking to no one, her cold skin, the fact that her name is on the door because it’s a plaque not because it’s still her dressing room.
I find Graham a really likeable character, and I like the way you take the one small canon detail that we know about him - being stuck in the Vanishing Cabinet - and build his personality and habits around that. Also, I think his aversion to watching his friends make out in a bar is something universally relatable! Megan on the other hand is wonderfully mysterious. She is warm and inviting, and yet even before we know what’s happened to her, we can sense the sadness within her already.
Their encounter is brief, but I like that it’s going to lead to a change in Graham, hopefully for the better.
I also really, really want to try Chartreuse now! But I haven't been able to come across it at any bar yet. I was at a French wine importers last week and had resolved myself to buy it but then I completely forgot! Too caught up in all the Alsatian pinot gris tut tut.
Just Before Healing by WeasleyMom
Rated: 3rd-5th Years • Summary: With Hannah, things always go to yellow.
Date: 02/22/13 Title: Chapter 1: one shot
Lori, how did I miss this beautiful, beautiful fic? In so few words you've built up an entire character. I feel like I know Hannah. You expose her with every new word - she unfolds with each new paragraph until we have this whole human being who feels so very familiar and yet new at the same time. I love the way you developed the Hannah/Neville relationship, too. Again, in so few words you made their story fully formed and... beautiful. I can't think of any other way to describe it.
Julia x
Author's Response: Thanks so much, Julia. I honestly thought it would be longer, and in the end, it wasn't even long enough to be considered for the challenge that prompted it. But even though its more like an extended drabble, the length felt right to me. I'm so glad you were able to enjoy/appreciate it. Thanks, as always for the review, friend. :)
Footprints in the Sand by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years • Summary: It was a summer like any other for Danny. He worked at his parents' Bed and Breakfast during the day and partied hard on the beach at night. He played the game, and played it well. But then he met Oliver Wood, and his life was irrevocably changed.
This is Equinox Chick and this is my entry for the OC challenge in the Character Clinic. This is the Shipping Prompt. (and has nothing to do with ships - hee hee.)
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling. Sadly Oliver Wood belongs to her, but Danny is mine.
My protagonist, Danny, was briefly mentioned in my story Drowning, not Waving. This is his story and has been written nearly a year after Jess (ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor) asked me to write it.
This story won the 2013 QSQ for Best SSP and Danny won the 2013 QSQ for Best Original Character. I thank the judges, very much.
Date: 10/07/13 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I am finally getting around to reviewing some of the amazing fics I got to read while judging the QSQs and I'm going to start with this one because it completely blew me away and left me wondering why the hell I hadn't read it sooner!!!
Danny is one of the best OCs I have ever come across in the Potterverse. He is such a vivid character, and such a great portrayal of a young person on the brink of adulthood, experiencing the lethargy of summer with the looming transition from school to university. He feels so real and relatable. We are carried on such a journey with him from beginning to end, from the very first moment we meet him to that final scene where he asks Oliver to meet him again in the beach hut. I love how you slowly reveal more and more of him as we go on, building up to such an interesting picture of Danny as a whole person rather than just a voice telling a story. I love the way we see him as an observer of people and the way this progresses into his profession in later life - what is a writer if not someone who gets inside other peoples heads and builds upon assumption? It all fits brilliantly together. I am kind of in awe at your ability to build up such a richly drawn person in a one-shot.
I also love the way you choose to tell the story from his perspective instead of Oliver's. Not only do you give us insight into such a wonderful new character, but we also see Oliver in a completely different light. There is a heavy sense of nostalgia in this fic. It reminds me a lot of Richard Linklater's Before film trilogy - two young people coming together for only a brief time and yet leaving such a huge impression upon one another that they can rekindle that connection a decade later.
I just love this fic so much. It's one of my all time favourite things that you have written. I would happily read an entire novel about these characters.
Author's Response: You do realise that this review is responsible for my current Nano ...
Thank you so much for the review, Julia. Writing a complete OC wasn't an entirely new experience, but writing one in first person was, so I'm glad telling the story from his perspective worked. Uhm, I can't think of anything else to say except thank youuuuuuuuuuu. ~Carole
Winters by hestiajones
Rated: 3rd-5th Years • Summary: A series of vignettes taken from Sirius' mind when he is in Azkaban, and the threads that hold them together. Expanded from a drabble written for an SBBC Challenge.
Date: 09/05/12 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
OH! I am so glad you've expanded this! I remember loving the original drabble, which so conveyed the melancholy of the song. You've definitely kept that same tone, here. The phrase, the kind of long time where you forget to count the number of nights and days that have died, really jumps out at me and you mirror that throughout the fic because you've caught that endlessness and despair those kept in Azkaban must feel. And the memories interspersed make my heart ache so much... gah. I don't know why you made that ridiculous LS status about this fic. It's excellent. Stop being a silly billy.
Greenleaf x
Author's Response: Oh that ridiculous status! I was quite in a foul mood and being my ruthlessly ridiculous self and was also certain this wouldn't be received well by many as it is plotless lol. I'm thrilled you read and liked this, as I knew you adored the original and I was wondering what you'd think of the expanded version :) ThankE lots for the review!
Honestly by Gmariam
Rated: 3rd-5th Years • Summary: Seven months after leaving Hogwarts, James Potter is fighting for the Order of the Phoenix. When Lily Evans joins the resistance, his life is turned upside down. He'd proposed, after all, and she had said no. How could they work together now, after so much history together? Or could they find another chance amidst the war?
Date: 10/06/12 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter One - Awkward
Oh I love this first chapter, Gina! The premise is interesting and different, and I do always love the way you write J/L. I'm not sure how you do it but it always feels refreshing and new! I can't wait to read the other two chapters you've got up. My eyes are drooping and it's 3am so sorry for this short and possibly incoherent review but I really enjoyed this and will read the next two chapters tomorrow.
Julia :)
Author's Response: Julia! Omg, thank you so much! I'm thrilled you came by-J/L fix? ;) I'm also glad you're finding it interesting and different because, well, I do write these two a lot, lol. I hope you enjoy the rest. Thank you so much for the review!! ~Gina :)
Rest In The Bed by welshdevondragon
Rated: 3rd-5th Years • Summary:
....
"I can't remember falling out of love with you. I've just--I've just fallen in love with someone else, so maybe what we had wasn't love in the first place."
Lily is leaving the flat she and Scorpius shared for five years, in the hope that she can move on. Some things, however, are hard to forget.
This story is for Soraya, since it is partially her fault, and also because she deserves many stories of higher quality than this.
Title from the Laura Marling song of the same name, which is also the song played during this story.
Date: 07/06/13 Title: Chapter 1: One-shot
This left me feeling achingly sad and that's a good thing. Everything about it felt bleak - Lily's detached tone, the way you used snapshots of memories to detail their lost relationship, the slow reveal that Scorpius not only cheated on her but is now getting married and having a child, only a few months after the breakup. It's like Lily is packing up their life together just as she is packing up the flat, and I think there's a grim realism in that.
And on one hand I feel so frustrated at Lily's hopefulness that they can be friends, but on the other I just want to hug her and take her to a liquor store and buy some tequila and dance.
This fic just gave me a lot of feelings, okay! I guess that's a mark of something great.
Other Side of Glass by teh tarik
Rated: Professors • Summary:
Fred Weasley
you owe me
Date: 03/31/13 Title: Chapter 1: dust
Your writing is beautiful. You have such a command over words and characters. Like you captured Merope in 'Growth' I feel like you have truly captured George in this. I have a lot of trouble reading fics which deal with death and grief because while I find them compelling for various reasons (and write them myself) I find myself disappointed half the time because they can be so trite and forced. This fic made my heart ache with its authenticity. This line in particular made me pause at its succinct description of the guilt that comes to those who are left behind: I might have clapped my palm over his mouth – I might have forced that last breath back in.
Breathtaking.
Author's Response: Julia, that's such an amazing compliment I don't even T_T (I'm not really sad, just a little teary at all the praise :P ) It really means a lot, coming from you; I really love /your/ writing, especially since coming across that zombie fic of yours :)
And I know what you mean about reading grief and character death fics. Things like these are not always handled sensitively enough and there's always the potential for things to get a bit overly sentimental and dramatic. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and did not find it trite, forced, or sentimental :D Thanks again *hugs*
teh
Date: 03/31/13 Title: Chapter 2: fred
Wow. I love Fred's voice in this. The detached beginning is a perfect way to start before going back to his earthly experiences. As I said, I love Fred's voice because it feels so right. There is something quite matter of fact about it but light, which is odd because we know what is coming, we know he is already dead - the whole chapter is weighted by this knowledge and yet we have Fred talking about one of his and George's many rebellious moments as if he's still there and as if there is the possibility for more mischief.
And then the ending. The way you retell the scene that we see in the book from Harry's perspective is just so so poignant. You retain that same voice while tying it back to the otherworldly beginning of the chapter. I love the way you structured it and I love the final two lines.
I am being very inarticulate tonight, sorry.
This fic is amazing.
Author's Response: Aww...thanks so much for another absolutely lovely review! aljsdhljafshll I'm probably going to get all silly and teary again kjfa;slkjgphoi[ogjm/....Fred is giving me a bit of grief to write, and I'm so so glad you thought his voice was consistent throughout all the structural mayhem of this chapter :) I'm actually planning to rewrite this chapter to make it a little more consistent (stylistically and in terms of narrative voice) with Chapter 4, which is now in the queue :D
But thank you once again for your two utterly wonderful and completely unexpected reviews!
To Dwell On Dreams by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years •Summary: 'Sometimes I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror or a window, and I do not recognise the face staring back. Even the eyes, which never truly change, seem dulled in comparison to what they once were.
It is not age that dulled them but you, and him, and her, and the myriad of dreams that came to nothing.'
Albus Dumbledore dwells on his life, and love, and the Hogwarts' students he shaped.
This story is for Natalie (hestiajones) because it is her birthday and she is a fantastic friend. Have a good one, my love.
Disclaimer: I'm not JK Rowling. I think that's obvious.
Thank you very much, Kara (Karaley Dargen) for beta'ing this story and helping me rethink bits. :)
Date: 10/31/12 Title: Chapter 1: ~*~
*sobs*
I don't know how to review this. Um, well, this is brilliant, Carole. Dumbledore is one of the hardest characters to write - he's up there with Luna ha! But this is just brilliant. I think you caught his voice so well. I believed I was reading his thoughts, I could hear his voice so clearly in my mind, so I think that means you were on point. The way you structured this was also very creative. I loved the way you wove his thoughts directed at Gellert with the Sorting of various characters.
There were so many breath-catching moments. The way you had him use Gellert's line on Snape made me shiver. And the scene where the Marauder's demand to join the Order gave me chills. Minerva approaching him to become an Animagus... and, of course, the ending was also striking in such a gentle way: But in essence he is Lily. It made me tear up, I must admit.
Gah. I'm just sitting her staring at the screen because I'm in complete awe. Carole, you are an amazing writer. Never stop.
Julia xoxo
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the lovely review; it means a lot.
I have to give credit to Kara because she suggested that I add a Snape scene (I think she's obsessed with him - hee hee) and once I picked the one, I then went back and added the Gellert line, and also tried to reinforce the parallels between Dumbledore and Snape.
The last line had me tearing up a little as well. I so wanted it to end positively, but that's also a little sad because she's not there to see her son enjoying Hogwarts :( - Oh I'm all sad now.
Thank you, once again ~Carole~
A Palisade of Persuasion by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years •Summary: It was true that Daphne and Lee had met at a most inappropriate time, but they had found love, lust and the glimmerings of a life together.
But the power of persuasion should never be underestimated. When they meet again, years later, his indifference cuts to her core. Can the past ever truly be recaptured?
This story is a present for Julia (the opaleye) because she is amazingly talented and has inspired me in so many ways. It is also her brthday.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling.
I am not Jane Austen.
I am not Sporty, Scary, Baby, Ginger or Posh.
Winner of the 2013 QSQ Best Chaptered Non-Canon Romance ~ I am gobsmacked and grateful to everyone especially JK Rowling, Jane Austen and the Spice Girls.
Date: 01/11/13 Title: Chapter 6: Chapter 5 - Consequences
I LOVE this version of the Cobb, and the twist on Daphne's character in that she isn't the one to care for Demelza after she falls like Anne but the one to save her from falling. I'm not trying to diminish Anne's role but I thought this fit Daphne so much better than if you followed the book. So basically, yeah, I loved it!
I know I've mentioned this in my previous reviews but I am still so enthralled by your portrayal of life during Deathly Hallows, both outside of Hogwarts before Daphne goes back to school and now that she is back. Tracey is interesting, and I am glad that Daphne is not the only Slytherin here who is uncomfortable with the Carrow regime. The bitchiness between Pansy and Daphne and Tracey is great, as is the way they cannot trust Millicent. It is all very Slytherin with the distrust and everyone out for themselves. Draco's little appearance is also intriguing and I loved reading some interaction between him and Daphne given that they're going to end up siblings-in-law.
The Potterwatch storyline is so good, too. I just love the way you are developing Daphne as a character. She is so fab! Not only does she want to listen to Lee, but she also needs to know what is really happening outside of Hogwarts. Your portrayal of Parvati and Padma, although brief, was quite powerful because we see the distrust and almost hatred on Parvati's part towards Daphne just because she is a Slytherin. It all felt so right. Your missing moments are always spot on, Carole. Guh.
Back to the bowtruckles, you have made me just as frustrated as I get with Wentworth and Anne. GOD LEE THE WOMAN YOU LOVE IS BLEEDING WHAT ARE YOU DOING. Honestly, I cannot WAIT to read more of this story. I am in such an Austen mood at the moment and this is satiating my needs quite nicely. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this perfect birthday gift.
Also, I have to add that I am so glad Astoria is not as grating as Mary. You may be taking inspiration from Persuasion but all your characters are completely their own. It's truly wonderful.
Julia x
Author's Response: Yay! Glad you like my version of the Cobb. Mmm, I quickly realised that I couldn't write Daphne too similar to Anne, partly because it's a different era, but also Daphne is a Slytherin and I think she has a bit more go about her than Anne did in certain situations. I also desperately wanted Daphne to take to the air and fly - ha!
Thank you so much for this lovely review. I really should get on and finish the rest of the story but keep getting distracted by that dem Cotillion and Scorpius - ooops. ~Carole~
Date: 07/28/13 Title: Chapter 13: Chapter 12 - Recriminations
Yusssssss. I was clutching my pearls during that argument. You built up the tension so well and just guhhhhhhhh. I just want to smoosh them together but I think your way will be better.
She respected the part they’d played in the second war, but she couldn’t hide her frustration that none of them, apart from Bill and Percy, had taken her subject at OWL, and only Percy had bothered with the NEWT.
This had me giggling! It's what I love so much about your writing, Carole. You manage to fill them with so many little details like this, that in passing may seem unimportant, but go so far to create believable and realistic characters. Septima, a minor canon character at best, and just a secondary character in this fic, feels so real. That statement reminded me of my year 11 history teacher who told me off for dropping her subject because she'd hired a new dishy history teacher for year 12.
Author's Response: So you could have had a major student/teacher fling with Mr Dish - i am on the side of your history teacher here - ha ha ha. thank you, Juliaaaa, for the review. I did like writing this chapter. I had to have a confrontation with them rather than a smoosh (just yet) - heh heh heh.
Date: 09/05/13 Title: Chapter 16: Chapter 15 - A Slytherin Trait
Wow. You developed the Septima showdown brilliantly. I loved the build up from Daphne's conversation with Minerva and the way that led into the real fireworks.
AND OH. I love your variation on the conversation with Harville! It's perfect! You tie it in with house rivalry rather than just differences between the sexes and I think that works so, so well with the rest of Daphne's story. And Lee was listening hafffjvfdnkvdfvd. Heeeeeeee. I am a wibbling mess of feelings. (I know you hate that word but I cannot articulate myself tonight sorry.)
Author's Response: You are allowed 'feelings' just not 'feels' - ha ha ha ha. Yay to you liking the Harville bit. This caused me so many problems so I'm glad it worked. Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu ~Crollllll~
Date: 05/29/13 Title: Chapter 9: Chapter 8 ~ Confrontation
Somehow I completely missed this chapter! And it is so good! Gahhhh.
Ugh Byron the smarmy prat wheedling his way in.
I love the way you have written the Slytherins in this chapter. I've read a fair few fics from the POV of Slytherins during the final battle but this one really resonated with me because while you have several characters making different decisions, they all felt very true to their house. Obviously, we know what Blaise is up to haha. The stand out to me was Theo! Hardly a major character in this but his meltdown was so well done! Also, the way you chose to weave in canon with Daphne's POV was very cohesive. I'm not sure if I am making any sense here because I am on a cupcake sugar high and have a chest infection but what I mean is that I love love love this chapter.
Author's Response: The funny thing is that this story really didn't start out as trying to fit in with my own canon, but increasingly seemed to leech into it. I couldn;t mention 'her' in connection with Blaise, but you may presume that she could well be the reason he's staying :D. So pleased you liked Theo here, and thought him credible. I couldn't write his whole backstory, because it would take forever, but I did think it credible that he'd want to disassociate himself with the Battle and not be able to fight.
eeeep to the chest infection! Keep on with the sugar! Spice up your life! ~Carole~
Date: 05/29/13 Title: Chapter 9: Chapter 8 ~ Confrontation
Oh and I forgot to mention the ha-ha!
I am haha-ing at the ha-ha.
Author's Response: ha - ha
Date: 09/08/13 Title: Chapter 17: Chapter 16 ~ Paint a Picture
It was Lee’s writing. Her hands trembled as she clutched the paper, wondering what else he could possibly say that wouldn’t PIERCE HER SOUL.
Nyeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Oh my word.
Author's Response: Hahahahhahahahahahahahah - Yes, I HAD to get that in somewhere - hee hee hee. ~Croll~
Date: 09/09/13 Title: Chapter 17: Chapter 16 ~ Paint a Picture
And now I'm back from outer space. I walked in to find Daphne and Lee getting fresh by the fireplace.
Ahem.
It's not that I didn't know this was coming but... asdhfjdlgk;dgv. This chapter made me so giggly and happy and fuzzy. I love it so much.
Now Bananarama makes sense haha. I was laughing so much when Daphne asked the record store guy whether he had a Spice Girls record. Also, I love love love the banter at the end about Myron Wagtail. There is so much fun chemistry between Daphne and Lee. Awwwwwwwwww. And I'm so glad you got to work in Valerie :D
This isn't really a proper review but it's all I can manage. I'm still feeling a bit silly and I do admit that I've had a glass of wine.
Author's Response: Wine is goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood. hee hee - I am so pleased you liked this chapter, I had a lot of fun with the record store bit and Valerie Zuton - and I now have to go and listen to that again ... The ending was a bit ... um ... odd, I know, but I just had to end on some kind of high spot and with them both happy together and back to joking made sense to me. Yes, Bananarama and not Bainamarama - thankfully.
Right, I'm going to edit the Epilogue, polish it a little and then get that posted in the next week or so, See, it's finished before your next birthday - lol. ~Carole~
Date: 07/07/13 Title: Chapter 12: Chapter 11 ~ Past Selves
Wooooooh yeahhhh Daphne. Go get it, gurl.
Author's Response: Go get what? Hmm, hmmm? heh heh heh. Thank you ~Carole
Date: 12/10/12 Title: Chapter 3: Chapter 2 ~ Ice Cream
I just realised I never reviewed this chapter.
Guh. This chapter is sizzling. I just love them so much. Awwwwwww.
/incoherent squeeing.
Okay. Now that I have calmed down, I have to say that I am loving the way you are using the original story but making it your own at the same time. The characters are themselves, and I just love the way you are building the relationship between Daphne and Lee. Are you trying to add a new OTP to my plethora of feels? Because you're succeeding.
Author's Response: sizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzle
heh heh heh - Glad you liked that bit, alas, true love (and smut) can never run smooth in the Potterverse, Austenverse or Croll land, so there are a few more chapters to go.
This has been a lot of fun to write, but the main difficulty is that no one is quite like Anne, so I've had to change that character quite a bit.
Really happy you're enjoying this. ~Carole~
Date: 12/10/12 Title: Chapter 4: Chapter 3 -Spice
Oooh the way you are weaving in the time they're living in is great and rings so true. The censorship on the radio, Daphne's naiveté, the attack at the wedding and Lee's hesitation at telling Daphne what he knows... Carole, you really know how to create such a rich and full story. I love it.
Author's Response: Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Date: 08/12/13 Title: Chapter 14: Chapter 13 - Suspicion
REVENGE. Vanessa suddenly became a lot more interesting... I wonder how this is all going to come together. I can't wait to see what tricks you've got up your sleeve, Croll!
Also, I neeeeed to read that conversation between Daphne and Septima. My life depends on it!
Author's Response: Well, that particular showdown was supposed to be in the next chapter, but alas (earwax) something else got in the way. Blame Byron! Thank you for reviewinggggggggggggggggggg ~Croll