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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Silence by HalfASlug
Rated: 1st-2nd Years •
Summary:
Surely the stars should have been shining brighter or the moon look bigger or something. Instead everything looked exactly the same as it had the night before and the night before that.
Arthur faces his worst fear on a perfectly ordinary evening.
Date: 10/07/13 Title: Chapter 1: one-shot
I have read this fic so many times now. No matter how many times, though, it never fails to make me feel achingly sad. I just want to lean through my screen and give Arthur a big hug. It is just so touching, without melodrama or insensitivity.
What I also love about this fic is that it’s about characters we rarely see at the forefront of fanfiction, and elderly too! The closest we see to an elderly character in fanfiction is usually Dumbledore, so I just love that it’s about Arthur and Molly, and about something that is sad and momentous, yet at the same time profoundly beautiful. Obviously I have no idea what it is like to live with a spouse for decades and then lose them, but this fic felt so heartfelt and true to their relationship. Saying it’s poignant feels like an understatement.
Arthur is in this sort of aware denial, and I think it’s such a moving image. This fic is really evocative. I felt like I could see and feel everything.
I love this fic even though it makes me want to sit on my bed while a lone tear trickles down my nose.
Beautiful.
The Dying of the Light by minnabird
Rated: 6th-7th Years •Summary: Florean is not the name I was born with: my parents called me Alric.
At the close of his life, the man known as Florean Fortescue remembers. There is much to remember from a life spanning ten centuries, but his mind drifts back to the very beginning of that life, and to his time with Merlin - a relationship that changed him irrevocably.
Date: 06/05/13 Title: Chapter 1: Prologue
Oh Minna I absolutely love the set up here. I know all we get in the books is that he must have upset the Death Eaters, somehow, to justify his death, but this is such an intriguing premise. I can't wait to see where you take this.
The Great Escape by minnabird
Rated: 1st-2nd Years •Summary: The twins' last great triumph at Hogwarts in bouncy verse.
Date: 06/05/13 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I love, love, love the way you aced this form, Minna. You are always so good at using structure to its full advantage so I'm not surprised with how well you did with the challenge. This does exactly what a double dactyl is meant to do: be silly and make people laugh. It perfectly matches the attitude of Fred and George. I particularly love the phrase "meddlesome japes".
Date: 08/28/13 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I'm going to disagree with Equinox Chickerydooda and say that every line is the best line so there!
Marauders Three by minnabird
Rated: 1st-2nd Years • Summary: A quick, fun bit of verse in honor of the creators of the Marauder's Map.
Date: 08/14/13 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Still gobsmacked this has no reviews. I'm here to change that. I love, love, love this. It's so fun! You're always so good at mastering difficult forms, Minna, so I knew when setting the double dactyls that you would come up with something great. These poems are supposed to be silly little snippets, and I think you captured that joviality so well. I think dashing cartographers is brilliant--it still makes me smile.
Author's Response: Thank you, Julia. :) And I'm glad you set the challenge - it was so much fun to do! Silly little snippets are one of my favorite things to write.
What Happens at Greengrass Estate by hestiajones
Rated: 6th-7th Years •Summary:
Five days.
This summer, Greengrass Estate is about to witness some Austen-sized chaos.
Disclaimer: This story is inspired by William Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing, but you don’t need to be familiar with the play -- everyone’s invited! This is also my 100th story on the archives, my biggest fanfic till date, and it might just end up being my own darling swansong. I hope that if you click on it, you’ll enjoy it.
Date: 08/08/13 Title: Chapter 3: Kinesis and Semantics
Zomg Dimkirk is dedicated to me. I feel so very, very honoured!
Wow this chapter is great. There's something about it that perfectly captures those languid, lazy summer days spent with people you don't necessarily like but will have to do.
But Dimkirk and Cormac lmaoooo.
Date: 07/19/13 Title: Chapter 1: Prologue
Hnnnnnnnnggggg!
What an opening! I am so excited!
Arghhhhhhhhhh!
Author's Response: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Date: 07/19/13 Title: Chapter 2: Pride, Prejudice and Stupidity
Okay, it's not like my expectations weren't already stretching into the heavens but this is truly glorious. I don't know whether to cry with joy or hang my head with self-indulgent envy. You are brilliant. Yes, you may be using the Bard as inspiration, but your skills as a writer are absolutely shining in this fic. It would be too easy to overload this review with more adjectives but I shall refrain myself. Perhaps. (Yeah, that's not going to happen.)
There is something so magical about this chapter. Your prologue was an apt opening to a Shakespeare-inspired fic, but the way this chapter unfolds is just perfect. Perfect, I say! You introduced us so well to the main players, and even the amount of time you allotted each character just felt so right. There are a lot of characters in here, but you spread them out really well, and I'm sure even those who aren't familiar with MAAD will keep up.
I love Daphne already. I admit, I read this out loud, and when I got to Daphne and Astoria's scene I was well and truly cackling away.
Theo's section, though, really struck me. The writing here is exquisite. His lust is completely palpable. It was all just so vivid in my mind and my senses, and I love the way you are crafting his character in particular.
That's the thing about this fic, your characters are already so real. In one chapter you've introduced us to a large cast, and even though they are adaptations in a way, it doesn't feel like you are copying or stamping a new name on to someone who already exists in literature. You've taken their canon histories into account and created something truly amazing.
This review is basically a gush. Apologies, my darling elf.
I am so, so excited to read more.
Greenleaf x
Author's Response: crap. how do i respond to this? in small letters, obvs!
The Cookie-Cutter Life by minnabird
Rated: 1st-2nd Years • Summary: Dudley looks, clear-eyed, back on his childhood.
This poem won joint first for Best Poem in the 2014 Quicksilver Quill Awards.
Date: 09/26/13 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Words cannot express how much I love this poem, but I shall try my best to leave a review. The fact that it's still reviewless makes me very sad.
You really capture not only Dudley, but his entire world, which is so very small of course. I think every line is particularly apt but there are a few that stand out. I love the idea of Dudley's house being bigger than his imagination. It's a great way to describe the inanity of his life, the bubble that he lives in, seeking nothing more than what's put on his plate by Petunia. "Increasing waste, increasing waist" is a great play on words. The funhouse mirrors in Petunia's eyes is also wonderful imagery, and the final line is such a solid way to sum up the entire poem.
The way you structure the poem, using "In my house" at the beginning of the second and third stanza lends a lovely rhythm to the poem, which you always do so well in your free-verse poems. I loved setting this challenge, and your entry was a well-deserved winner.
Fabulous, Minna!
Tea Behind Bars by WeasleyMom
Rated: 3rd-5th Years • Summary: Shaking free of one's chains is never easy. Least of all, for Draco Malfoy. This story received a 2014 QSQ award for Best General Story, one-shot. Thanks! Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. (Duh.) Dedication: I wrote this for Carole/Equinox Chick, because I've wanted to write her a birthday fic for three years and failed, because her encouragement has meant more to me than she could possibly know, and because she told me to write more Draco. (What?) She's also Mistress of The Brawl, from whence this fic came.
Date: 11/11/13 Title: Chapter 1: Tea Behind Bars
Wow Lori I think you really captured the hollowness of this moment in time, not only for Draco but the whole Malfoy family. There are so many moments I could quote and mention but then it would just be copy/pasting the entire fic into my little review box. I will mention just this one:
I want to stand straighter, to stare back at them with my father’s square jaw, but I rarely manage it. I know my crimes better than they do, after all.
I think this sums up Draco perfectly after the war. You have characterised him so so so well, Lori. Guh. This whole fic, while quite short, is really rather powerful. It moved me. The way you intertwine mundane moments like Lucius shaving with the terrible vastness of the aftermath of the battle is just so you and just so right.
Amazing.
Author's Response: I don't know what has made Draco so appealing to me lately in terms of his redemption, but the complexity of it draws me. There's a kind of grief there, but I think he has it in him to move on, to be better than he was. Not a great person, really, but a better version of himself, at least. Thanks for the lovely review, Julia. I appreciate it so much.
Staring Back by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years •Summary: Charlie Weasley and Penelope Clearwater were a mismatch made under Romanian skies one starlit night. They'd made no promises, except one: to see if they could make it work.
But what neither of them had counted on were ghosts from the past threatening their future before it had started.
This follow up to Mirrors is for Julia (the opaleye) because not only did she suggest the original pairing, but it is her birthday (well it was, I'm a tad late)
I'm not JK Rowling. She has more money, grace and style.
Date: 12/04/13 Title: Chapter 2: Chapter 2 ~ Adjustments
I really needed this after a rather traumatic television episode. Again, thank you thank you thank you for this fic.
I adore that little scene with Penelope and Tonks at Hogwarts. I know Tonks is a cause for slight angst in this chapter but that was so sweet and lovely and just... Tonks.
I'm pretty sure this will be a darn sight shorter than Palisades, but will hopefully have enogh smut to sustain interest - snigger.
Oh stop it, you. I'm blushing.
I love that nothing is perfect. It feels so real because nothing like shifting your entire life across a continent could ever be so neat or tidy or seamless. I can't wait to see how Penelope and Charlie overcome these obstacles.
Author's Response: Or will they overcome them. I might decide that she runs off with ... Aunt Muriel!
heh heh - sorry, i'm feeling skittish. Thank you for the review. There is some smut (a sprinkling) coming up soon - ha ha.
Date: 03/16/14 Title: Chapter 3: Chapter 3 - Penny, meet the Weasleys
Awwww little Molly :3 Okay, I know there is far more to this chapter than that but you know I love Swans so...
I'm sorry for taking forever to catch up with and review this fic! It's so great to get back into it, though. I love Charlie and Penelope so much, and the way you are navigating their new relationship is rather captivating ;) I'm not just talking about the snippets of smut here (lol whatever Julia).
Is there more to Audrey than what Penelope let on? I wonder. Could it really be just left-over schoolyard jealousy??? I look forward to seeing whether I am right or not.
Damn you, Lily Luna, for interrupting that smut!!! No, really, she was quite cute haha.
Author's Response: Yes, she wouldn't want anyone interrupting her with Scorpy! ha ha Thanks, Julia. There's more to Audrey and Percy's row than Penelope turning up, that's for sure. There might be some more smut - must check what I've written - ha ha. Thanks again.
Date: 11/26/13 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1 -Reunion
Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa.
Whoa.
I did not expect that last line. What are you trying to do to me?!?!?!?!
Who knew we'd ever see a sequel to Mirrors? I am so excited!!!! Thank you thank you thank you. This is such a wonderful and unexpected birthday gift and I cannot wait until the next chapter! (although you are still busy Nano-ing, I know)
It is so great reading about Charlie and Penelope again, and looking forward to a wider glimpse of their lives even though you've already thrown a fly into their soup. Still, I can't wait to see how they fish that fly out of the soup! And if they don't fish the fly from the soup, how they deal with the fly in their soup... I should have thought about using a better idiom.
And I cannot end this review without mentioning the tempestuous Antipodean Opaleye. Heh heh heh. You had me cackling from the very beginning.
After Palisades, this is such a treat. There really isn't anything like a cracking Croll tale.
Julia x
Author's Response: I've been wanting to write a sequel since I finished this, actually. Mind you, I tend to think that with every story because there's always something else that occurs to me. However, this always felt as if it had more scope for expansion and the scenes I wanted to write just kind of expanded - ha ha. OBVIOUSLY, I had to dedicate it to you because it was your original suggestion. Just sorry I was too nano'd and then busy and hungover to get the first chapter done for your actual birthday.
Mwahahahahaha - yeah that last line left me reeling a bit.
Thank you for the review. I'm pretty sure this will be a darn sight shorter than Palisades, but will hopefully have enogh smut to sustain interest - snigger. Thank youuuu ~Carole~
Password's Moody by minnabird
Rated: 1st-2nd Years • Summary: Static buzzes, and then a familiar voice sounds. Potterwatch, that wildly subversive radio show, is back with a new broadcast. A jazzy little poem.
Nominated for Best Poem in the 2014 Quicksilver Quill Awards.
Date: 05/06/14 Title: Chapter 1: Poem
I figured since I Featured this fic, I really should leave you a review. And it's a travesty this doesn't have any reviews at all. I think what I love most of all about this poem is that line you tread between lightness and mischief, and the dark foreboding. Not sure if I am making sense. You really capture that mischievousness we know from Lee and the twins, and then the knowledge that Fred is going to die - that he won't be back next week. I also really love the discordant structure, and how everything is short and sharp. It's got great rhythm. Basically, I really love this poem :)
Lost and Found by ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor
Rated: 3rd-5th Years • Summary: When Tracey Davis's financial security was a casualty of war, her family is forced to relocate to cheaper accommodations. But when she uncovers a souvenir from a former resident, Tracey finds herself learning not only a stranger's past, but a little bit about her own.
Date: 03/15/14 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I absolutely love this story, Jess. I am half-asleep and slightly drunk so I apologise in advance if this review is a bit odd.
I really like the way you have set up Tracey's background. It's interesting to see her father guilty of aiding Death Eater's rather than actually being one. We know that goes on in every conflict, and I think it's important to show that in the context of the wizarding world, too. It's also interesting seeing it from the perspective of his family, through his daughter's eyes, rather than his own. There is the bitterness of their current financial situation, Tracey's doubts that maybe she was no better than her father when she chose not to take a side, and also the knowledge that what he did was wrong and that he deserves his punishment despite the trauma it's causing her family. I thought you constructed that backstory and context so so well. It was a new story, yet so very fitting for the Potterverse, and it made these nearly-OC characters come to life in an absolute and complete way.
I also loved the relationship between Tracey and Willa, and the way you weave their history into the history of Dorcas. Gah! It was just so well done! The construction of this fic amazed me. It's so well paced and thought out. Am I repeating myself? I think so. But yes, I loved the relationship between Willa and Tracey, and the way Willa finally opens up to her daughter and then Tracey opens up to her mother. As someone who loves listening to family stories, I really liked the ending.
They are still in a dire situation, and yet it almost feels like a fresh start for both of them. It's a hopeful fic when it could easily have been the opposite.
Also, all hail the female-led non-romance fic! Such a great variety of female characters. A++++++.
I'm so glad I chose this for my bedtime reading.
Julia x
This is the Last Time by Equinox Chick
Rated: 1st-2nd Years • Summary: It is the Anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts and the magical world celebrates. But for George there's only sadness as he recalls everything he's lost.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling.
Thank you, Julia (the opaleye) for the challenge in Poetry, Anyone? that led to me writing this poem.
Date: 05/03/14 Title: Chapter 1: For Fred
Um so this poem will be the death of me.
Author's Response: please don't die
Lifeless by ScreamingBanshee
Rated: 6th-7th Years •Summary: Jocelyn Gray was born with exceptional qualities that brought nothing but death to her family. Now at Hogwarts, her abilities still present but shadowed in fear, she comes face to face with Tom Riddle.
Date: 09/05/15 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
This is an intriguing start and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
Author's Response: Thanks for the review!!
Communi Damnum (Shared Loss) by Nagini Riddle
Rated: 1st-2nd Years • Summary: Harry and Hermione find a small amount of comfort in the loss that they share whilst looking for Horcruxes.
Written for the Doomed Ship Valentine Ficathon, Prompt: Harry/Hermione.
Date: 01/25/16 Title: Chapter 1: Communi Damnum (Shared Loss)
Hi Kaylee!
Since this is not an actual challenge and there won't be an award for first place, I can actually leave you a review! Hurrah! I was hoping to get to this in the queue before Vicki but alas, she was too quick! Thank you for the lovely dedication, and thank you for doing justice to my favourite prompt haha. Yes, I do love this moment in the films, and I think this poem beautifully captures why I love it so much. It's a moment of grief, brief happiness, darkness and light, and most of all it's a moment of deep, caring friendship. Whether or not there is a spark of something more is irrelevant.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And now I must get to writing something for the challenge too!
Author's Response: *speechless, but full of smiles*