Oh.my.goodness. I completely hoped this would happen, I must say. And I'm not supposed to be here, but I saw your new banner, and wondered if there was to be a chapter two.. so here I am, completely excited! I loved how you used the repeated phrases, like the descriptive words separated by dots or repeated, like "stayed in"... Oh, and I forgot about Draco not recognizing her, but his honorable saving of her was just brilliant. I'm quite excited to see how their story progresses. And what Draco's doing away from Voldemort...

Author's Response: I\'m very late in responding to my reviews. I always love reading yours. Thank you, Delaney! I <3 you!

*speculates* So if Remus became a full-time werewolf... Gracious, I've just looked at the reviews and decided that Laura is absolutely insane. As if we all didn't know that already.

So back to the point. I love how you began with A wolf is always a wolf. It makes it so that any sort of reasoning for writing this type of story is entirely unnecessary. I've discovered that reasoning is of the essence in writing, most particularly in fanfiction, because people will always be puzzled. Well, you've explained it in a word. A wolf is always a wolf. Just as anything else we are is what we always are, if it exists. And that makes NO sense at all, but it's true all the same.

The sharp scent of human fear... This is really an essential part of being something other than human, something else. Smelling emotion? What an image! The things Remus notices about the man's scent show similarities between the Remus we know and the one in your story. He would search for the scent of humanity first, I think.

Then you go on to introduce the rest of the senses, going full circle with it. Werewolf training.. interesting mention of the Pup's second lesson I suppose we'll be learning the first, right? Just one thing about that bit--why would the stars matter? I thought we were smelling and tasting...

Anyway, I really found the attack interesting from Remus's point of view. It shows a certain contempt for the kind of person he would have been. A human, defending his friends. Why, though, were they wearing masks? I guess we'll find out.

He growled again, the sound instinctive and feral, and advanced slowly. I love the insertion of the 'instinctive' growl, showing that this way of life is natural to him and that he doesn't really need his wolf form to make the impression. And the end was amazing, the perplexed, bedraggled victim, still curious. Typical wizard, touching line.

When I first read it, I was mildly perplexed--I guess that's what prologues are supposed to do! The instant transfer to action captured my attention instantly. I can't wait for the rest!

Well, I was browsing your author page this morning, and I still need someone with whom to ship Hermione, so why not experiment? Anyway, down to the review.


The contrasts start right at the beginning. I like how you introduce them with 'the last time he had followed this path....' The gloominess of his life is very sad! I feel terrible for him.


Completely disgusted by her inability to control herself,Severus continued to tower over her in hope that she might come to her senses at some point in the near future. I was a little confused here. Could she not control herself, or could she just not see him?


Hermione laid it out in front of him like a bloody corpse at a murder scene. This is an excellent simile! Would Snape know about murder scenes? Well, obviously, but that kind of strikes me as a 'Muggle' term...


He let the floodgates open, and so the emotion that was previously locked within his heart was allowed to flow through his veins, up and into his eyes. This is such a lovely turning-point of the story! Severus' decision to finally let his emotion show is touching. You wrote it perfectly, too!


So I'm fairly sure I'm in love with your writing.. *clutches computer* The way you make the words just fit with each other is brilliant in itself, but there's the wole added bit with the storyline, emotion, truth, realisations and love interwoven into a beautiful story! Absolutely amazing.

The friendly banter with which you started the story is precious, especially accomplishing the goal you mentioned in the Author's Note at the end. It makes sense that the four would joke about their Animagus adventures, trying to lighten Remus's dark curse.

Her long, sort-of-silver hair fell untidily around her face, I love this tidbit. Her hair is silver, but untidy. It takes away any Mary-Sue possibility there may have been for this character. Lovely.

"Are you a werewolf?" Gracious, trust a Ravenclaw to figure something like this out and then just come out and ask about it. It's kind of powerful, the way she confronted him. Just one thing, though - it wouldn't have been exactly four weeks ago, it would have been exactly one full moon ago, which is exactly a month.

I love your Sirius and James relationship, as well as the ever-present Peter. You did a wonderful job setting Remus up for the arrival of Tonks (and even the self-hate he feels when Tonks isn't afraid to love him) and for the loneliness he feels as his friends begin to disappear.

Loved this story - I feel like you delved deeper into the relationship between the Marauders while still telling a lighthearted story. Thank you!

But finding a channel that actually wasn’t disturbed by magic was an attempt in vain. I love this idea! I suppose setting up a TV in a magical household would be difficult.


She wished she could blow something up or that she could disappear into a foreign country where she could start over. I love the options you've given her! Poor Verity. Great characterisation, though! I adore OCs.


Chastity, Faith, Hope and Verity. Very uplifting names.


"Which is true, but I would like to see my legs again. I don’t know why, but I like to tie my shoelaces the Muggle way,” her sister said, smiling broadly. This is such a sweet little detail! I would never have thought of it. Good job.


You've really captured the whole issue of being a Squib, "caught between two worlds," as Chastity so astutely put it. It's something the reader doesn't really think about, yet something that the wizarding world has all the time. Verity's struggles are so real! You did well at capturing that part of the Wizarding World.

Author's Response: Thank you very much for this review. I\'m so glad you liked it. Thanks!

I love all the wizarding world references right from the start. They made me smile! It was your usual packing-up, but with little twists. Great effect. I also love Charlie's familiarity with his home--precious!

He dropped his traveling bag on the floor at the foot of his bed, and then crossed over to the window. The sentence structure is a tid choppy here, I suggest removing the comma and changin 'and then' to 'and'.

The bit in which Hermione tells Charlie about everything that's happened is so short, and so poignant and beautiful at the same time! I was nearly in tears at all the loss they must have felt. It's also sad and sweet how you've developed the Weasley's story, like when Fleur came to them for help when she was sad and hurt by Bill. Charlie is wonderfully comforting, and Hermione is understandably sad.

Goodness! Well, the only thing I could reccomend would be to try and develop everything you've described into a story--or maybe just a few more chapters of memories, with flashbacks? It might be fun to play with it. It's lovely how it is, too, though! *newbie huggles*

EDIT: (sorry, couldn't get the last one to delete) Just, you know, scratch the last paragraph. The many-chaptered fic is a continuation, right?

Well, I did promise to review. It was forever ago, but I haven't forgotten, and plan to be very dilligent/devoted. *nods*

I really like the friendship you've created between Charlie and Oliver: it's interesting, believable, and all your own. Their witty remarks about stomachs lighten the mood as the two characters tend to do.

He had no idea that the young Keeper he’d known at school was going to transform into such an enthusiastic, passionate, and obsessive player. You use all the great adjectives to describe 'player,' which I totally love, but you didn't give them anything to contrast themselves besides 'young'. Maybe you could add something to accompany 'young' to make more of a difference between the two Woods.

Let me just say that the way you made the relationships between your characters work together to give an easy, real-life tone to your writing. And writing two men talking about a crush seems like it would be an enormous challenge, but you've made it light-hearted and lovely. Wonderful, and I shall continue. Promptly.

I haven't started reading yet, but I'm just going to tell you that I'm really, really excited to meet story!Imogen. Squee.

Well, you don't need me to tell you that your characterisation of Imogen is wonderful, nor do you need me to say that it's easy for the reader to understand her character from the beginning due to some resourcefully worded sentences. However, I'll tell you anyway. Because it's true.

Luckily, the fire had been merely that: a fire If it was just a fire, why was she examining blood? It's just a case, I know, but that part was kind of confusing.

She was expected for brunch at the estate of her best friend, Siobhan Yay! Siobhan! I'm totally excited! And.. It may have been a tad fancy for brunch with a friend, but Siobhan’s attractive brother Liam I just can't resist quoting that. It's LIAM. Gah. Oh, and he’s a womaniser, not a womanizer. /fangirling the insertion of Sins-verse OCs

"You could always sit at home and knit." Grandmother smiled impishly. While I like the use of Grandmother as a name here, I think it would make more sense if the story was in first-person. Saying 'her' grandmother, in my opinion, would make more sense in this case. And this character was a good way to introduce 'Immi'. I always have trouble with nicknames.

Imogen seems like the ideal example of a caring family member. I'm curious, though, to see how she's related to the Blacks, and where that comes out in her. She's very interesting.

After tea and scones and quick check ups Check-ups has a hyphen, I believe.

“You gave me a fright!” Imogen replied. Since this isn't really a reply, I think it would be better if you added something like 'unhelpfully' at the end, or changed 'replied' to 'retorted.'

Well, Andrew has been set up as the perfectly believably wonderful character. It makes me suspicious of him. >.> But really, I love the way you established him as who he is-- a match, really, for Imogen. I look forward to more of their interactions!

It didn’t help that a fair few girls had flung themselves at him over the years. Yes, it does. Experience. It's all about experience.

I'm sorry if that was much more fangirly than helpful, but I was so looking forward to the chapter with Imogen that I nearly forget to breathe. I read with beta'd breath, you know. Excellent writing, really. The way you've set up relationships makes the reader eager for their futures.

I like the way you began the story with a conditional. 'Might' arouses the curiosity of the reader, and the examples that follow are helpful for visualisation of what you're going to discuss in the rest of the story.

You would be correct in that assumption, as far as that goes. Do you want to use 'that' twice again here, even though you used it in the previous sentence? It might be easier to say 'You would be correct in your assumption, as far as it goes.'

The continuation of the second-person phrases is lovely. Like I said, it gives the reader an unexpected connection to the characters and their story.

The insights Severus provides into the Malfoy tradition and the differences and similarities between Lucius and Narcissa add a background to the story based on what Severus has seen working in their household.

The boy folds himself beside the bed I love the imagery of this phrase, and the ones following, to describe the traditional task of prayergiving. The commentary, too, on Draco's words and actions, is wonderful.

you know that as well as anyone I like this assumption that the audience knows something about your story, too. It's perfect for fanfiction, I think.

The last bit is a nice finish, the sudden flash of sympathy. By simply telling a hypothetical story, you've managed to explore the emotions of both Severus and the Malfoys, at the same time as you made it as though the reader was taking part in the story. Delightful job, VV!

Author's Response: Eew. You\'re quite right about the two \'that\'s\' and the second should be an \'it.\' Thanks!

You have a good eye for the little tricks I was trying out here: the conditional, the second-person -- sounds like they worked for that sense of connection to two characters that perhaps not everyone connects with.

As always, I\'m delighted to have a review from you! Thanks again!