This is a really interesting way of beginning the fic! I love the twist on the usual *Lily finds out she is a witch* theme. Petunia's character in this really works well, and I like the way that you have captured her suspicion and dislike of magic. Her thoughts in italics are also interesting to read.

My only small pick, is just to be careful when you're switching between different perspectives. This chapter appears to start with Lily and end with Petunia, with no real switching point. Although it's okay in this case, just look out for it as it sometimes can be a bit confusing.

I really enjoyed reading this :) When's the next chapter coming?

Author's Response: Why, thank you very much! :) The next chapter is already beta-ed. I will submit it later on today and wait for validation. Keep and eye out!

One word: ouch.

The imagery in this is incredible; I think you've captured the sense of the curse really realistically. Well done :)

Author's Response: When I saw the word \'ouch\' I got a little scared! Luckily this is a good review, so I\'m a bit calmer. Thanks for the review!

Wow! This is really good! Fantastic imagery... :)

Author's Response: Thank you so much! This is my favourite poem I wrote and posted. I\'m so happy the imagery was fantastic. I was reading Shakespeare before I wrote this, can you tell? :P Hehehe. Thank you.

I squeed when I saw this was up...well done! :D The little changes that you've made are really effective, I can really follow the processes of Ginny's thoughts.

As before, the imagery is fantastic, and a lot of the description is quite emotional.

I saw how big everything was and how mediocre my problems were compared to vast expanse of the universe. I saw hope, a glimmer of light in a world with none. I saw the laughter of the future.

I see the life I should have led, the life that was so painfully ripped from my palm...

I love these lines. The astrological references are effective as well as being really idlylic. The last line especially, conjures up a powerful image, showing that Ginny really has NO control over the life that is hers, and that is part of her.

The parts about her husband are realistic as well. It is understandable (and *sniff* sad) that she loves him, but never in the same way that she loved Harry. The dreams and imagination portrayed here at the end are also well written and conclusive. The last few lines kind of sum up the whole story - all of her feelings. Very clever, and again very moving.

A lovely oneshot, and a pleasure to read. Well done!

~Suzie

Author's Response: :D Thank you!! And thank you for all your help. :D

A cool idea for a poem :) You rhyme really well, and the 3rd person works really well here. Well done!

Author's Response: Thanks a ton!!! I\'m glad you like the 3rd person view.

Aww…this fic left a smile on my face! It’s a really nice concept, having Hermione give this speech as a final sort of ‘closure’ to the war. And this must be the first time in ages I’ve read something by you that doesn’t involve the Blacks/Lestranges etc… :p

Hermione’s character is great in this. I like the way that the rationally scorns the whole idea of not mentioning the war, doesn’t even make a proper plan for her speech, and yet still as usual ends up with something great. The speech itself was fantastically written – as if it’s spoken ‘from the heart’ (to be cheesy).

There was a war. We can’t pretend there wasn’t. We lived through it. We lost because of it. I know that there is not one person here today who hasn’t suffered because of this war. We have all lost.
Wow. That is such a meaningful paragraph. The short sentences are honest and abrupt and say a lot about the pain that they must all have experienced because of the war.

Our loved ones are not dead because the other side was evil. Our loves ones are not dead because some cruel person took them away. Our loved ones are gone because of hate.
I really like this idea. In this part, it’s as if Hermione is taking away that stigma of “good versus evil” or “two sides of the war”. She’s making clear that what’s causing the pain is hatred, which unfortunately is present on both sides and ruins both sides.

My only bit of criticism here is that the ending is a bit abrupt to me. Maybe I’m just a fan of ‘film-like’ endings with some big closing statement … but I felt that the ending of this, given the theme, could have used a bit more finality – more of a closing statement, a summary etc. :)

Another part of this fic that I really liked was where Hermione is describing the seating, as if even those arrangements are wrong. She doesn’t dwell much on Harry or Neville, or anyone because this isn’t about them/what they did, this is about everyone. I like that. I like the way that in the description you’ve put a bit of the character into it, like with describing what Neville would have done had he been there.

There was no one there to remember Harry or Neville. Some families had been completely wiped out by the war.
Aww. :( That’s really sad to put it in that way. Though I guess that though they have no family to remember them, their friends serve as well as family as anything. [/bad grammar]

This is a really well written and moving fic Elle. Well done! :)

~Suzie

Author's Response: Hehe. Most of my stories center on the Blacks. This one does mention them. I have a few about Petunia that have nothing to do with any of the Blacks! :o

*smiles* Hermione\'s speech was spoken from the heart. Remember, as you said, she didn\'t write it. She just got up there and said what she was feeling.

\"I really like this idea. In this part, it’s as if Hermione is taking away that stigma of “good versus evil” or “two sides of the war”. She’s making clear that what’s causing the pain is hatred, which unfortunately is present on both sides and ruins both sides.\"

Ah, but this is my view. This whole mess started with hate and it won\'t end because both sides continue to hate. They teach their children to hate and the cycle continues.

About the ending, this is the second comment I have had about that. Originally, I planned on writing another scene to this story. I was going to write about a banquet thing after graduation, where Hermione would have a conversation with Narcissa. They would develop a somewhat better understanding of each other and go on more willing to let the hatred rest. However, I thought that was overdoing it. I\'m beginning to think that I should have included something along those lines.

Anyway, thanks so much for all the compliments. And thank you for another wonderful review from the wonderful Suzie. *huggles*

That was a really good story! I love the way that you've characterised Snape, and the kind of 'sarcastic' type tone that he maintains throughout is great.

Some parts really made me laugh...even though the whole context is quite sad.

Sandwiches. I served him bloody SANDWICHES! If I'd have known that was going to be his last meal I'd have taken him for steak, or lobster, or . . .

I loved that...and the bit about the prostitute..lol

I think that what makes all of this so powerful is the fact that you've shown two sides to Snape...you've shown that he can care and that he does care. You've also shown how hard he has to work to maintain the 'front' that gets him in with the right people. The flashbacks of Young Snape are really effective, and the ending is amazing.

You chose this path... I know. But it doesn't make it easy.

So true...a fantastic story!

~Suzie


Author's Response: Wow, thanks.

I\'ve been on something of a mission about Snape since about August 2005. And I\'ve got a massive WIP that I\'ve somewhat taken a break from actually *typing*, but it\'s never far out of my mind. So I have this very concrete vision in my head of him.

I\'m glad you enjoyed his tormented inner dialogue. The prostitute bit was a last minute thing, but it almost didn\'t feel complete without it, and I was TERRIBLY worried someone was going to take offence (even if there was no actual prostitute involved - much less two of them!)

Thanks for reading and reviewing!

*has come to review fellow Ginny Weasley Gauntleteer...* :p

I love the way you've portrayed Ginny's character, especially the scene with Percy. The build-up in this scene is very intense, and Percy's character is so annoying that I can really justify killing him off... *hides*

I also think you write action really well! The part about the dragon and the black box was really clear to follow, and fast-paced, so well done. :)

Just two little nitpicks: “Avada Kadavra!” in the Percy scene, should be "Avada Kedavra" And the Headquarters for the Order is no. 12 Grimmauld Place not 13.

Finally, I *love* the last line! It kind of adds a slightly darker twist to the 'happy' ending.

Sometimes in the middle of the night, she would find herself back in the middle of the cold, dark lake, tempted to let herself slip off the door.

A lovely, slightly poetic ending to a really good story.

~Suzie

Author's Response: Thank you so much! Hmm... I know that it\'s 12, it must have been a typo. I know how to spell Avada Kedavra too. Curse stupid typos! *Goes to fix* Thanks for pointing those out. The dragon and black box scene was really fun to write. It\'s probably my favorite part. I\'m glad you liked the Percy scene too. I hated it at first, but it\'s starting to grow on me. I\'ll be going to check out your Ginny Gauntlet entry as soon as I\'m done writing my weekly drabble challenge sumission, so expect a review. :) <3, Jenn

*Reviews fellow Ginny person :p* Wow! This looks like its turning out to be one amazing story. The idea of Xanthe is both unusual and incredibly original, and I like the way that you make it clear from the start that Ginny has had to make sacrifices to get where she is.

One unusual thing I noticed is the way that you have portrayed Voldemort. He seems to me, to appear nicer...though this gives him an even more dangerous aura, as you never know when his temper will erupt. [/babble]

Your storytelling skills are fantastic and I'm really looking forward to reading the next part... (and finding out about the Minister's glasses??)

~Suzie

Author's Response: *smiles*

Thank you for that great review. I am forever grateful for your flattering words. I noticed that Voldemort turned out \'nice\' but like you said it makes him seem more dangerous and I don\'t see him as being too aggressiv towards his followers.

I love the parallels with Harry's 'old' world in this chapter! The addition of 'Trevor' who looked like Ron was really good too.

Just be careful not to use Americanisms of classes. 'Math' class is usually called 'maths' in the UK.

And I wonder why the Dursley house looks deserted? Will we be finding out more about the voice that Harry heard?

Author's Response: Don\'t worry, you\'ll find out why the Dursley\'s house is deserted before the story ends, and who the voice is. I have everything planned out...and I\'m sure you\'ll be really surprised!