08/29/09
I am a recent member of the Harry Potter fandom, but I have always had a passion for the written word, and I hope to fulfill it here. I live in a relatively boring corner of Idaho, and I like Kokanee and a good book!
So, I suppose you're wondering what's up with my username. Even if you're not, this is how that happened. No, I was not aspiring to be a Gryffindor. I can't think of any house to which I would belong less than Gryffindor, in fact. It was a moment of clarity that I got while I was battling with myself about whether I should want to be Sorted into Gryffindor to be like Harry or to be Sorted elsewhere and follow my own path. I thought it to be much like the contemplative scene in Hamlet when he weighed taking his own life. I'm not trying to be melodramatic. That's simply is what popped into my head when I was trying to sign up to leave a review. :D
Any questions or comments about my work? Please shoot me an email at: tobeornottobeagryffindor@mugglenet.com — I'd love to hear from you!
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I Am Alive by the opaleye
Rated: 1st-2nd Years •
Summary: After his conversation with Dumbledore at King's Cross, Harry wakes and reflects on life and what it means.
2009 Quicksilver Quill Award Winner for Best Poetry!
Date: 02/18/10 Title: Chapter 1: I am alive
Argh, I freaking fail, dude!
I read this one ages ago, and like the - insert-a-word - I am, I didn't review. At least I'm pretty sure I didn't.
For the most part, throughout most of school, I hated poetry, and it hated me right back. I just couldn't wrap my brain around all of these hidden themes and agendas from the author, which made reading it painful and annoying. Now that I don't have to read it, I find myself enjoying it much more.
This one typically goes against my reading process, which is basically a variation of in one ear and out the other. I forget stuff as soon as I read it. But this one...I remember this one well, because it was as if it was Harry's brain rebooting itself, making the tentative reconnection to life, both spiritual and biological, and that kicks ass (yeah...that was friggin eloquent, eh?).
Anyway, I love this poem, and I'll probably read it again in six months, just so I never forget it.
b29; - Jess
Author's Response: Aw, Jess! Thanks so much! I was rather surprised when it came up that I had another review for this poem since I wrote it quite a while ago! I'm so glad that you find this memorable. I just love to recite this in my head at times because I find it so calming, like it brings me back to where I feel I should be. Which was the entire point when I wrote it and as you said, it's Harry's brain rebooting itself. I love the way you put that. Again, thanks so much for the review!
Julia
Burning for Revenge by the opaleye
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •Summary: Five years since the defeat of the Dark Lord, Draco Malfoy is finally getting his life back on track. Married, employed by the Ministry, slowly gaining back the trust of the wizarding world, Malfoy is finally free from the oppression and terror of Voldemort. Until one day his Dark Mark burns again. Why is this happening? Who is summoning him back to a world of darkness and fear? As the new life he has built from scratch begins to fall apart around him Draco can turn to only one man for help.
Date: 09/02/09 Title: Chapter 5: Chapter 4
Holy critters, this story is a nail-bite! Absolutely fabulous plot. I can't wait for more. :-D
Author's Response: Awesome! Thanks for your review :)
Date: 09/14/09 Title: Chapter 6: Chapter 5
Awesomeness!!! I love this story, and I was quite elated to find another chapter. The plot development is excellent, and the little hamster wheel of angst in the characters is delicious. Can't wait for the next installment!
PS-I sooo feel like I should know who "he" is. It may possibly drive me mad...I love it.
Author's Response: Thanks for the lovely review! I like how you describe the angst in the characters a 'little hamster wheel'. That is the perfect description! As for the mystery man, well you'll have to wait and see... Glad you love it and thanks for the review. It's good to know that I haven't lost everyone!
Date: 01/01/10 Title: Chapter 8: Chapter 7
Yay for Jules!
I've followed this story from Chapter 1, so I'm happy to see you finish it. A lot of mysterious bits were cleared up in this chapter, and I don't find myself wanting for information, which is a valuable trait of chaptered fics (I've read so many, and lack of proper information is extremely common).
It's neat how Harry understood the Death Eaters so well that he knew exactly how to get Thicknesse to sing like a bird during the interrogation, but I also have an appreciation of how old Pius left a seed of doubt within Harry about himself, which lends itself well to D/A.
Hurray for a good story, I shall miss it. Take care and happy writing!
~Jess
Note: Just remembered...in this sentence:
He did not remember apparating to St Mungo’s.
'Apparating' should be capitalized. Other than that, this story is magnificent.
Author's Response: Thank you, Jess! I'm so happy to have finished this. It's been a bit of a mission at times but it feels worth it. I'm glad you liked how Harry could understand Thicknesse. I think he is, after the hunt for Horcruxes, quite a perceptive person, especially when it comes to the Dark Arts and allure it has. Thank you for sticking with me! And thank you for pointing out that mistake. I will go fix it up right away! Julia XD
Date: 11/30/09 Title: Chapter 7: Chapter 6
Holy crap, I didn't see that coming with Thicknesse! Wowsers, Julia, you know how to make my brain go fuzzy with glee. I love this story, and I eagerly await Harry's arrival on the scene.
I heart the voices in his head, telling him to kill. It's like having an anti-conscience. Just another reason that I adore D/A.
~Jess
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review, Jess! I'm glad I'm still keeping your interest! The voice in Draco's head is why I put this fic in D/A. I feel like the story is as much about Draco's state of mind as it is about who is trying to kill him. Thanks again!
Staring into the Fire by Equinox Chick
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •Summary: When Harry broke into Dolores Umbridge's office to demand answers from Sirius and Remus, he little knew this would be the last proper conversation he would have with his godfather.
But what of the two that were left staring into the fire?
For Moony and Padfoot, it is a chance to re-live old times -- a chance to answer those questions long put aside.
This is Equinox Chick of Hufflepuff and this is my entry for the Bookbasilisk Summer Challenge - Gift of the Gab.
Many thanks to Afifa and MorganRay for beta'ing this story. I would also like to thank Miss K for some constructive comments she made about an earlier draft.
Disclaimer You know the drill. I am not JK Rowling. I doubt that's come as a huge surprise, but I thought I should let you know.
Date: 10/09/09 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
I can totally imagine this whole scenario in my head, Sirius and Remus bickering like schoolboys again. It was light-hearted, but pensive, when they started to backtrack to Wormtail and the Whomping Willow incident.
Well written and definitely worth a :-D
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review. I enjoyed writing this story because it's about my two favourite men. Just a shame I couldn't get myself in the story really. ~Carole~
The Sleeping Beauty Ward by MorganRay
Rated: 1st-2nd Years • Summary: Once upon a time, there was a young witch who fell under an old and terrible curse. At least everyone thought it was a curse because the truth was, no one knew what caused the “Sleeping Beauty Sickness.” It was a rare and strange, but it was famous enough that the Muggles even told stories about how these bewitched girls would wake, but every wizard knew the truth: no one ever woke up. They laid in a coma, aging slowly, until they died. When the child of a famous pureblood family falls ill, she is entrusted to Saint Mungo’s hospital, and instead of a stone tower, is given her own Ward, which becomes a place of scandal and horror.
Date: 11/19/09 Title: Chapter 3: Fairytale
Oh, I adore this story! It's very Poe, minus the ending. I could totally see this as a short story in an old dusty book saved for a good thunderstorm.
I'm not sure I followed the meaning of the part where Cassandra burst into flames and took the young Healer with her to the grave, but just the same, I loved the imagery in my head.
Your use of onomatopoeia i the first couple chapters to add to the atmosphere of the storms and the eerie sounds one would hear in a virtually abandoned ward.
All in all, I really do like this story, and I hope tales in its style can be anticipated in the future.
~Jess
Author's Response: Comparison to Poe is flattering. I wrote the onomatopoeia in intentionally. To be honest, it was supposed to be one chapter longer. The extra chapter was supposed to go between chapters 2 and 3, and it was supposed to be about the ward during voldemort's first rise (in which chapter two would make more sense), but I ran out of time, and in context, it just wasn't working.
A Heart Without a Home by Indigoenigma
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •Summary: Suddenly, you realize that you have nowhere to go and no one to turn to.
Date: 07/23/10 Title: Chapter 1: Home
Well, hello!
This poem is fascinating. I love the language and the all-around wistfulness that surrounds it. The feelings behind it have the air of someone who's lost not only a family, but a lover as well. This is where the speculation comes into play.
After some intense thought, as well as some commiseration with a friend, I've decided that I either have no clue (oh, it happens - trust me), or your poem is talking about Dumbledore regarding his family home after Ariana was killed and Gellert left. Now, the idea that Gellert was the object of Albus's affection is a source of great speculation amongst most of us, fed by JRK saying that he was gay. I would love to know from the source whether this was your intended subject, I'm completely wrong, or you just left it open to interpretation.
One of my pet peeves about poetry (which is probably stupid, considering it's not my best subject) is the rampany misuse of commas and periods, and punctuation (oh, my!). You, however, seem to have put them all in the right places, which allows for fluidic reading and super solid structure. Your metre and stanza formation really allow for this poem to roll off the tongue like speech, rather than something halting and stilted that you would hear in a dodgy coffee shop on a Tuesday night.
The only real crit that I have is the fact that most of your stanzas are four lines or one, but you have two that have only three lines. It does detract a LITTLE bit from your flow, but only a little. It just seems like either a small bit is missing or the two three-lined stanzas could have been consolidated into one.
All in all, this was a fantastic poem and an interesting process by which I could speculate. It's always fun to take anonymous characters in both poetry and prose and try to figure out who it is. I'm sure you had someone in mind, and I'm VERY sure that I'm dying to know who it is, lol.
Take care and happy writing!
~Jess
Author's Response: This is absolutely a poem about Dumbledore and his reaction to Ariana's death and Gellert's flight. If you'd like to give my author's page a go, there are (if I recall correctly >.>) three Albus/Gellert stories and several poems. I didn't label this poem because, as you said, isn't it fun to speculate? Thank you very much for your very thoughtful review.
A Difficult Conversation by DracoGurlFurever
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •Summary: Draco Malfoy has asked Harry Potter for a meeting. When Harry arrives, curious to see what he might want, the revelations Draco makes are astounding. Will this very difficult conversation change the way the two men see each other? Will Harry be willing to help Draco?
Date: 02/06/10 Title: Chapter 1: A Difficult Conversation
Okay, so I'm a complete prat. I read this when it first came out, but for some brain dead reason, I didn't leave a review...shaaaaaaaaaaame! Normally, I'm a serial reviewer, so I have no idea why I didn't leave a review the first time.
If you didn't know, I'm completely in love the the Harmony ship, and while I can't really tell if it's Harry/Hermione that is married or if it is Ron/Hermione (but if it's after A Suitable Young Man, then this observation is irrelevant), I can still pretend in my mind that it's Harmony, and that makes me happy.
Anyway, away from my ridiculous fangirling, I adore the dynamics between Harry and Draco. This is always how I pictured them for the first decade or so out of school, with an eventual cease of hostilities. You did very well in capturing Draco's insecurities about how Harry would react to this news, let alone the fear that Ron, who is a much bigger fellow than Draco, would tear his arms (not to mention other things) off. He knew that Harry would be at least non-combative physically.
I like the fact that you wrote this as almost complete dialogue, because the way you wrote the hedging and the stammering, the extra bits in there weren't necessary. My own personal writing style usually involves a lot of thinking on the part of the character, but I do love the way they both wear their hearts on their sleeves.
I also agree with Amanda's review that you should maybe incorporate some of the missing moments, such as Draco's first meeting with Ron as Ginny's new beau. Yeah, that would be hilarious and enchanting.
All in all, after much pontification on my part, this was a great little story, and it was a very good companion piece to ASYM, which I also adored. Please feel free to write more. :D
~Jess
Author's Response: Awww, thanks for the wonderful review, Jess! It was great to see that you liked the way the dynamic between Harry and Draco worked - I tried hard to make sure it was somewhat believable, and I may or may not have read it out loud in Draco's snarky voice, haha ;) I also think the whole dialogue-only thing goes both ways - some people seem to really like it and others, well, don't. I suppose it's a matter of taste, really. As for writing the first meeting with the Weasleys, I've been working on it, I promise! :) Hopefully it'll be up soon. Again, thanks SO much for reviewing, dear! *hug* Apurva.
Christmas Surprise by dignacious
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •Summary: Harry spends his first Christmas after the Battle of Hogwarts at the Burrow. The holiday is filled with Weasley joy, but some nerves for our friend Harry. A surprise waits for a very special someone- but what is it? Last chapter coming up soon!
Date: 09/27/09 Title: Chapter 3: The Surprise
Awwwwwwwwwww! What a picture perfect projection of Harry. I don't ever see him doing anything rehearsed or flashy. It was perfect. :-)
Excellent work.
Date: 09/03/09 Title: Chapter 2: Christmas Eve Morning
WOOT! Go Harry!!! Thank you for starting a story for this blessed event...look forward to reading more.
Drowning, not Waving by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years • Summary: Everyone knows Oliver Wood. He's the seventh year Gryffindor obsessed with Quidditch. But why is he so focused? What drives him on? And how will he cope when the Dementors get too close to his Seeker, and Diggory catches the Snitch?
Shutting himself in the changing room showers, Oliver cannot bring himself to visit Harry in the hospital wing, for the Dementors have released long repressed horrors in his own life. Will he finally face the reality of his life and obsession?
This is Equinox Chick submitting her final for the Characterisation class on the MNFF beta boards.
I would like to thank Emma (Amortentia X) for her invaluable help in beta'ing this tale. She not only corrected my horrible punctuation but helped a great deal with characterisation. I would also like to thank fgweasley, inspirations, eternalangel, Electronic Quillster and luinrina for their suggestions in class. Last but most definitely not least - thank you, Prof Haylee for allocating me Oliver Wood!
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, but I doubt you're surprised by that.
** indicates a line taken from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
The opening lines are taken from a Stevie Smith poem called 'Not Waving, but Drowning.'
Nominated for a 2009 QSQ award in the Best Same Sex Pairing category. Thank you.
Also nominated for a 2010 QSQ award in the Best same Sex Pairing category. Thank you!
Date: 10/09/09 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Reading about Cedric always makes Robert Pattinson pop into my mind...sigh...
Interesting character portrayal for both Cedric and Oliver. My guess is that when Oliver left school, he tried to block himself from his true personal nature, and Cedric just dated Cho because she was there.
Their camaraderie was powerful, and sometimes, it seemed as if I could see it all happening in my mind, and it's remarkably believable.
Well done.
Author's Response: Hmm, I think Oliver is probably more open now, although it will be tougher in the outside world. Cedric ... ah, well, when I get around to writing the sequel, you shall find ound. Thanks for the review ~Carole~
Date: 09/25/10 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
So, here we are again, milady.
Sometimes, I gain insight on my own perspective of a character by reading someone else's portrayal. It gives me a chance to see various traits that I had not yet considered and how I see them playing out. And how many other fabulous character studies of Oliver are there, anyway?
I'd have to say that my favourite part of the whole story is the first scene in the showers. You took such a small and seemingly insignificant moment in canon and rebuilt an entire character around it. I never liked to think that Oliver cared more about losing the match than the fact that Harry could've died. Your version is much better. :D
Oh, and Merlin do I hate Oliver's dad. He needs to get hit by a bus, because Oliver deserves a shred of happiness after all of that. Ignorance is just...rawr.
Well, anyway, I shall cease rambling now. Good luck in the judging, because your story is fabulous.
~Jess
Author's Response: Thank you, Jess. I have a great fondness for this story, probably because I had to work hard on it, and had E_X stabbing me with her Bardiche sword when I got it wrong. Interesting that you liked that first scene best because the whole story came into my mind after remembering Fred's line about Oliver 'drowning himself in the showers'. Then it occurred to me that other people could have been affected by the Dementors. Thanks for the review and good luck with your Oliver story and all your entries in QSQ's. ~Carole~
Memories by A H
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •Summary: Harry takes Ginny on a trip down memory lane. Some memories should be cherished forever, and sometimes we have to put the past behind us so that we can make new memories.
Date: 10/22/09 Title: Chapter 1: Memories
Ah, this is definitely a piece of well-appreciated fluff. I don't doubt for a second that Harry would do something like this, and I'm all about the canon.
Well done!
~Jess
Faces by lilyofseafoam
Rated: 1st-2nd Years •Summary: Astoria returns to visit her father at the Malfoy Manor during the war. Draco is very interested in getting to know her, and they talk about the faces they keep for the public. Astoria gives him some very important advice.
Date: 10/23/09 Title: Chapter 1: Faces
I like this piece a lot. It outlines yet another aspect of Draco's life that was trampled by Voldemort's presence in both his home and his life. We never met Astoria in JKR's books, but we know her vicariously through Draco, and you gave her the perfect personality of someone who would captivate him.
Smiles!!!
~Jess
The Difference You Made by Padfoot Patronus
Rated: 3rd-5th Years •Summary: All accomplished men like Dad share something in common – they are looked down, degraded, criticised for everything they say or do, right or wrong, and they take all of that in, patiently, uncharacteristically. Somewhere in those decades, the same society gives up on them, awards them with a pedestal of hero-ship and an immunity from all things used to roughen them up in a past life. People like Dad never again stand on the common ground like the rest of us.
Albus Potter reflects over past and present upon his father’s death. My impression of Harry Potter in later years – a hero of sort and so much more.
Date: 09/20/09 Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
Very fascinating first-person perspective. Knowing Harry succumbed to the same evil millions of other people do is both disheartening and strengthening.
I can really appreciate the fact that Albus didn't consider his father a hero, because I have always thought that hero worship is damaging and counterproductive. Heroes are false idols who do things some of us cannot, soaking up the adulation from the have-nots. I would rather be an inspiration, someone who inspires another to take the best of themselves and put it to work for the greater good.
Thank you for writing this :) I actually found this when I checked your profile while reading other reviews of gmariam's "Lost"
Birthday Wishes by lily meet ginny
Rated: 1st-2nd Years •Summary: As Harry turns twenty nine, he realizes that not all wishes occur right after they are made. Some take time to happen. Set on 31 July, 2009. This is cannon time compliant. I do not own the characters of this story.
Date: 09/02/09 Title: Chapter 1: Birthday Wishes
Absolutely adorable! Looking forward to more.
Cassiopeia by Lunalovegoodrox
Rated: 1st-2nd Years •Summary: Nine-year-old Lily Potter wakes up one morning and finds a strange girl in her kitchen. Now Lily has to share her room, her things, and her parents with this girl. Why is she here? What is her secret?
Meanwhile, nine-year-old Cassi Malfoy is scared out of her mind. Her parents have left her with the Potters and have gone into hiding. Who is looking for them? Will she ever see them again?
Date: 12/04/09 Title: Chapter 2: Day One
Ah, I remember reading the first chapter of this waaaaaaaaaaay back when it was first produced. I'm actually very interested to see where Cassi goes from here and why Draco and Astoria had to leave their daughter with, of all people, the Potters.
Your stories were rejected? Perhaps you should seek out a Beta to look for the things you missed. I reread everything I write three times, and I still manage to miss things like using the same word too frequently or starting paragraphs with the character's name too often. Just a thought to help you on your way, since, so far, I really like your idea.
Well, keep on truckin', and I look forward to further installments.
~Jess
Author's Response: yeah, kinda forgot about it.... sorry *blushes* thank you so much for your advice, I really need it since I'm just starting. :)
A Marriage Made at Hogwarts by hestiajones
Rated: 1st-2nd Years •Summary: Draco Malfoy and Ronald Weasley loathed each other at Hogwarts, and little has changed over the years. No one in their right wand would have ever expected them to become in-laws. But Hogwarts is a funny place where many things become possible. And now, everyone has to accept it – Scorpius Malfoy and Rose Weasley are getting married today…
Date: 10/14/09 Title: Chapter 2: The Best Man
Ah, quite an interesting chapter. Learning about Teddy Lupin is always a delight, and writing about him is most likely a challenge, since so little information is given about him, yet there are so many things to consider with his 'family history.'
You've pulled it off quite nicely! Looking forward to the next installment. :-)
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review. I'm afraid I am caught up with board stuff - up to the neck, so to speak. :( But I'm going to finish off the story by the end of Jan. The entire story. :D
Date: 09/02/09 Title: Chapter 1: Father of the Groom
Totally excited to see where this story goes. Never thought I'd actually like Draco...things change, I guess. I've been a fan of the Rose/Scorpius pairing from the beginning, and any continuation is awesomeness!
Author's Response: Yeah, me too! It's the only non-JK pairing that I love unconditionally. And it's just a five chapter fic, so it won't take that long a time. Thanks for the R&R. :D