I never know what to write here. But whenever I actually force myself to write something I decide later that it won't do at all and then I delete it.
So I've decided to just not care. I'm me. Ashley. That's really about all there is to know.
With that said, know that I adore Harry Potter, JKR, and all the lovely friends I have made while on this website. They are 'the shiz', so to speak.
Tootles, my lovelies.
- Ashley
Winner of the QuickSilver Quills Award, categ. Best Marauder Era.
What did being a Marauder truly mean?... Let's just say that some tunes cannot be played by a lone musician; and those four's lives were certainly not soloists' scores. In class or in detention, in Quidditch matches or full-moon wanderings, fleeing before monsters or confronting dark wizards, they wrote, measure after measure, their own eight-handed piece.Messrs Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs, are proud to present a Symphony for Quartet.
*sigh* I'll have you know I spent half an hour writing you a long, in-depth review. But when my computer crashed and I lost it all, I also lost my will to re-write it. What this basically means is that I don't have a glorious review to present you. But still, I couldn't help but leave you a small one.:)
Another glorious chapter. Although it isn't as serious as some of your past ones, this one did have more dark than light at the beginning. I adored the bit with James's piano lessons, though. I think you're one of the few people who explores James enough for me to actually like him. This is definately a good way to show his personality towards his family and upbringing a bit better than we can normally see at Hogwarts.
I would write more, dear, but I have an English exam that just won't wait for me. Do hurry with the next chapter, though, so I can write you the long, in-depth review you deserve!
As for the piano lessons... I had this idea a long time ago, when I read my umpteenth fic starring James as a wonderfully-gifted-pianist-who-had-learnt-all-alone-how-to-play-the-piano. In families such as his, there is often a lot of traditions: the kids will have to study ten years the piano because THAT\'S WHAT THEY DO in the family... It sounded much more realistic than a James learning by himself how to play the piano (come on! this kid is plugged in on 220Volts!)
Good luck with your English exam, and thanks for another excellent review...Oooh, such a cliff-hanger! I'm really excited that James and Sirius know about Remus now, but I'm worried about what they're going to say about it to him. I hope they understand... Oh and I loved the condor thing! Funny, I never even thought about the fact that it was probable to have a bird other than an owl deliver letters.
The fact that you are french and are this good at english astounds me. I am horrible at french. All I can say is "je suis fatigue" and random words of no importance. It's sad, really.
Author's Response: I will never get enough of compliments on my English!!! Thanks so much for those, I always get a big (and quite silly) smile on my face when i read them. It means a lot to me, really, seeing that I've learnt english only from books... The condor idea popped in my mind very suddenly, taking me completely unawares, but I loved writing it. Actually I was thinking about Harry getting letters from Sirius, delivered by tropical birds, in the beginning of GoF. I do have a soft spot for my last sentence--what did you think of it? Anyway, it's not sad to be horrible at French, it's quite normal... it's truly one of the most bizarre language I know. Thanks again for reviewing--once more!!
Finally, an update! And what's this? The first part is over!? Well, I really have to go, but I just wanted to 'claim' second review. And you don't have to answer this "review" because I will come back later and give you a really good one. I'm just in a hurry right now. I will return!
Author's Response: Waiting for your second review, then... And answering this "review" all the same. It's a matter of principle. And I'll add I'm so pleased to see my regular reviewers are keeping up.
This was just … beautiful. I cried, I was sobbing like a child when you were describing Remus’s transformation; the way he bit himself and howled, the way James cried and stood there listening. Just amazing.
One of my favorite lines in the entire thing was most certainly this:
“Oh. Well, that’s good to know. Can you lend me socks? I’ve run out.”
It’s so simple, and so straightforward. It just goes to show that to Remus’s friends, there is nothing at all abnormal about him. So what if he’s sick? He’s still Remus. Still a little boy, who deserves friends, deserves a life. It comes off as funny, but in reality it is nothing short of touching.
And then suddenly it’s over, which is really a shame. But I must say, if there was ever a way to blow a reader out of the water it would be to finish the way you did. I had questioned the title before, but always figured it would show itself in the end. And of course, it did. You ended this part of the story brilliantly. So clear-cut a way to finish off that I couldn’t help but laugh a little when I read it.
“Now I am extremely curious to see what sort of piece the four of you are going to play,” he murmured, without taking his eyes off the four boys and their condor. “A Symphony for Quartet ... probably.”
I cannot wait to see what you come up with next time.
Peter's reaction is one of my favourite part, too. I read only two other fics about the Marauders' first year, and I think that in both of them, Peter was scared of Remus yet he accepted him because of Sirius and James. How could their friendship be so strong if they hadn't all accepted Remus freely and wholeheartedly?
Yet there is one thing you should bear in mind: of the three of them, James is the only one who has realised what being a werewolf means; he accepted Remus, but it didn't go all smoothly. What if he hadn't returned to the trapdoor? What if he had run back to his dormitory, now convinced Remus was a dangerous monster? He may have never accepted him. On the other hand, now that James decided to be Remus' friend with full knowledge of the facts, he will stay the most loyal friend no matter what Remus may accidently do during one of his transformations.
Peter and Sirius have both understood a part of Remus' curse. Sirius focused on the most terrible part--Remus being attacked by a werewolf, and biting himself-- and Peter only sees his friend's condition as a disease; a very nasty one, but then his own mother has quite a nasty illness as well. In the following years, they will gradually realise the full impact of Remus' condition, and maybe they will need time, too, to finally accept all the consequences.
When I found the title of the story, I was at first very proud of myself--as silly as it sounds--as I had tried many other titles I didn't like. Then I thought that maybe the title was sort of intriguing, and not very clear, and I decided to give an explanation at the end of the first part of my story. And who could give that explanation, if it wasn't Dumbledore? Besides, I do think there is something about him liking music in his Chocolate Frog card. Thank you for the compliment on my ending, I wasn't too sure about it. A description and a dialogue in English, I can handle. A metaphor... I was a little more wary!
I already have ideas for the beginning of the Second Part, though I haven't started writing it yet. I don't have the time just now--though I do spend some time answering my reviews, but that's a matter of principle as I said before--and I thought I was going to finish Part One, then wait until the summer holidays when I'll be able to type around the clock. Sorry about the delay... thanks again for your review!Tinn Tam! Well, I must say, I enjoyed this chapter a lot more than the last. Despite the fact that the Marauders were together at James’s, it’s a relief to see them heading back to Hogwarts together. It’s strange, how different the atmosphere is when the characters are actually at school compared to when they aren’t.
First off, Snape is a complete git in this chapter. Congratulations, you wrote him well yet again! I find it kind of ironic that both Harry and James got stamped on the face by a Slytherin prat on their way to Hogwarts. It’s a nice, if not slightly bloody, comparison to the father and son. I love it when Snape says, ‘“What a scathing answer,” in response to James’s insult. It’s such a Snape-worthy response.
One of my favourite parts in this chapter is the bathroom scene. Yes, it’s a rather long scene with different aspects to it – but I just love it. I’m not too sure about how Lily was behaving towards James, just because she seemed a bit too eager to help him out after what he had done to her in the past, but I suppose that mass amounts of blood can change a person momentarily.
And now for a couple of nit-picks, simply because: “And you could faint for the loss of blood,” added Peter. I liked this part, but you have a bit of a typo going on; ‘for’ should really be ‘from’. Also, “I’m not staying here getting bored while the pair of you is having fun.” doesn’t make sense, as ‘you’ should probably be changed to something like ‘are’. Other than that, and my little miff with Lily’s characterization, there wasn’t much to point out that hadn’t already been pointed out. You have very strong writing, and it seems to me that your main source of typos has a lot to do with translation.
Things that made me squee: James opened his other eye. “M’ not a firs’ year,” he mumbled thickly. “Secon’ year.” I simply love this little bit, just because it made me laugh. After all, how dare the prefect call him a first year when he is so obviously a second year? Even through his semi-unconsciousness he has the sense to correct her. Good job, James! I also really loved the line, He had undeniably felt better. Even though it’s just a small sentence in a big chapter, it really stood out to me as in-character. Plus, you’ve got to love the bringing up of the obvious. Poor Prongs.
It’s hard not to just quote the entire chapter, because I loved so many different parts and everyone is always so blissfully in-character. But I suppose I will have to stop now, even though I’ve only quoted two parts, because I’m afraid that if I do any more I will never stop. Let me just say that I cannot wait for the next chapter, and then allow me to apologize for how unoriginal that sounds. In any case, terrific job, dear!
I see what you mean about the atmosphere when the boys are home and when they\'re out of school. That\'s how I\'ve always felt when reading the actual books (and that\'s why OotP felt a bit too long for my taste: they spend ages in Sirius\' house before they actually come back to Hogwarts).
The bathroom scene: I liked writing it as well ;). About Lily\'s characterisation, I\'m glad you pointed out she seemed a little too eager to help James out. That\'s actually what James thought, too. But 12-year-old girls tend to be very romantic--and taking care of a hero wounded and losing blood is a very romantic thing to do, especially when she just did her best to look more attractive (though she spectacularly failed!). As for James, he understandably didn\'t feel romantic at all :).I don\'t know about the \"for/from\" thing... My beta didn\'t see it... As for \"the pair of you\", I hesitated; in French, there are similar liguistic constructions where it would be correct to make the verb agree either with \'pair\', which is singular, or \'you\', which is plural. Again, it escaped my Beta, so I thought it was okay.
Thanks a lot for the review, very nice and long, as usual! Next chapter should wait a bit, I\'m afraid, since a)I\'m suffering from a bad case of writer\'s block, b)I\'m nonetheless trying to get chapter8 of \"The Song of the Trees\" ready, and c)my family\'s watching me closely, and I don\'t want them to think I am COMPLETELY nuts about Harry Potter :DYes!
A new chapter!
I did a little holler when I saw it.
Okay, so, for some reason I loved this part:
“What’ve you got up your shirt?” he said.
Sirius folded his arms across his stomach and tried not to wince at the squelching sound.
“Nothing,” he said.
I laughed so hard, I could just see it in my mind! Anywyas, good job, I'm looking forward to the next one very much!
Author's Response: lol thanks, I thought that would be quite typical of Sirius. Glad you're enjoying it :D
Okay, I strongly believe in reviewing if I enjoy the story. So here I am...reviewing...because I love your story! I think you are good at keeping everyone in character, and I really like the new characters you made up too. Hurry with the next Chappie! I can't wait!
10/10 fo sho!
Author's Response: Hey, a new reader! Thanks for your feedback, glad you're enjoying it! I'll put up the next chapter soon :)
[/gasp]
Omigoodness. I was wondering if maybe you had stopped writing this. Thank goodness you didn't. I saw my e-mail from mugglenet saying one of my favorites had updated and when it said it was your story I squeed!
On to the chapter. I loved it. Particularly the end. I love that she calls him Dragon - it's so cute. Why couldn't he have woken up just a few minutes sooner? Why! The way he kissed her tears but still felt guilty about having sex with Erin because of Ginny was adorable. I cannot wait for the next chapter!
P.S - Normally my reviews are better written than this. it's just my excitement that's gotten the best of me. I'll write an uber good one next time.
Did I just catch this as it was approved, or have you gotten no reviews? I should hope it was the former, not the latter, due to the fact that this was brilliantly written, and a very original plot.
I was shocked as I read in the first chapter that Ginny was dead, and even more shocked to learn that she wasn't. I can see a story developing here that is sure to be full of drama and keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat plot twists.
The way you add in the flashbacks is very appropriate and enjoyable - it's nice to see what happened in the past and not just get dropped into the middle of a story. And the way you incorporated the past conversations with the present ones was very fresh and ironic.
Brilliant job, I'll be adding this one onto my favorites. Keep up the good work!
Oh, heck yes for new chapters!
So, I really liked it, like... a lot. And I SO reviewed last time! And I even added this story to my favorites, so hah. Haha ha HA. Anyways, sorry for that flash of immaturity. Very good. Tres extrordinaire.
Author's Response: 'S okay, immaturity makes the world go 'round. Anyway, you'll be seeing some in the next chappie *wink*. Thank you for the review!
I like your title.
Also, incidentally, what ever happened to that peice of toast? Will it's name ever arise in this fic again? Or will I forever be left to wonder about the fate of a single peice of triangular toast? Anyways, leaving aside the whole toast factor, I enjoyed your fic very much and am looking forward to the next chapter. I really like your style of writing, it's very descriptive and imaginative. A very well deserved 10 out of 10.
P.S Just a note, when you use a dashy thing ( - ) you should put spaces between the words infront and behind it. (So that people like me don't get confused due to thier own retardedness)
Author's Response: Thanks for your review! You'll find out about the toast, don't worry, but unfortunately, not for several chapters. Thanks for your advice on the dashes! Chapter 2 is in queue!
This was a very heartfelt one-shot. I am normally not a very avid reader of Hermione/Draco, but I’ve been getting more used to the pairing lately and thought I would give this story a try. You didn’t disappoint.
You started it off really well, which is always a good thing. And after being involved in a school newspaper for two years, you begin to learn that a good opening paragraph can only lead to an amazing closing idea. These two lines were what really stuck out for me:
And as his arms tightened around her, they seemed not to be just two people, but one whole and complete person who was strong enough to save anyone, even themselves.
And Hermione knew, in an instant, that this abandoned field would be a place where things happened. Things that you couldn’t forget even if you had the courage to try.
In the first one, that way you say that they were as one person, strong enough to save themselves, it’s just really well said. It made me wonder where they were, why they needed saving, and caused me to read on; very good line for hooking in a reader. I liked the last art of the second quote because it mentions that even a strong person couldn’t forget the things that happened on that field. It’s a bit of foreshadowing of what is to come.
Okay then, this should be enough confidence booster for you to tough out one little nit-pick, right? I hope so: “ Draco woke up not long after Hermione, but instead of coming downstairs went to his sock drawer, opened it, and brought out a small, black-velvet box. Flicking it open, he smiled at the object inside it and began to get dressed.
Regarding flow, I think it could work a little better if you placed a comma after the word “downstairs”, and then said “he” afterwards. Making it become: “but instead of coming downstairs, he went to his sock drawer …”
Well, that was my only picky comment for this one. So now I can go back to things I really liked – which brings me to the end of the story. Throughout your one-shot, you made it very clear that the bond between Draco and Hermione was more than just puppy-love or physical attraction, and I really liked that aspect of it. Especially the part where Draco tells Hermione that even if her answer to his proposal is no, she can keep the ring because it was made for her. This just shows a really deep love to me, and it was touching.
And then this line from the ending: And Hermione found it somewhere in herself to smile as Voldemort finished the spell.. It was hauntingly beautiful, to imagine herself fearlessly giving herself over because of her love for Draco. Congratulations with this fic; it was very well done!
Author's Response: Oh. Dear. Merlin. Your review was amazing. It really, REALLY made me feel like I had accomplished something. Even your nit-picking was great: I always love knowing how I can improve a story. Your praise of Draco/Hermione\'s relationship in my one-shot was wonderful, because I had definitely wanted to show that what they had was true love. Even though it\'s not what I intended to do, I love your idea of the \"hook\" line. Keep writing, and reading, and thank you so much for your helpful and kind review!
Oh, I really liked this chapter! But honestly, Ivy is such a jerk. She gives me the distinct impression of Malfoy - were you going for that, by any chance?
I liked the emotions in this chapter. The confrontation with Christian was particularly good, as well as the scene with the Goblet of Fire. One teensy thing though, you mention that Ivy is wearing high-heels, but don't Hogwarts students have a uniform?
Overall, this was really great. I was so excited when i saw it had been updated. (And, by the way, Captain Blacks are sort of like cigars that are the same size as cigarettes and they taste really good. I love them.)
Anywho, I'll be waiting anxiously for the next chapter!
So, Purplemage, I'm really liking this fic so far. I'm officially in love with Ariel, because gay boys are the cutest thing (which is really sad, because I obviously cannot score gay boys, being as I am a girl. [/tear]). I think you make him really real and believable, and I like that.
So far, out of all the chapters I read, I liked the scene in the bathroom with Christian the best. It felt really real to me - that "now-or-never" moment where you just blurt out your feelings and hope you don't get hurt. I felt really bad for Ariel, because obviously pretty much everyone can relate to being rejected like that.
But darn it! Why does he have to smoke? Ciggarettes remind me of Captain Black's, which reminds me that I really want one [/pout]. Do you smoke by any chance? I'm just curious to know if you reflected a bit of yourself with that.
I'm really excited to read the next chapter. I definately like where you're going with this and I can't wait to get some more information on this black-haired boy. Is he attractive? The whole black-eyes thing seems kind of odd, but he could still be attractive ...
Anywho, I'll be sure to add this to my favs. Great work so far!
Nice chapter, Purplemage. There were definately some parts that had me laughing. Like the bit where 'Dream Guy" asks Ariel if they've met, and Ariel goes off in a mental conversation with himself. I also really enjoyed the 'The Bastard' line. You're really good with that subtle humour sort of deal.
I also like your foreshadowing (if it is foreshadowing, maybe you already mentioned it) about Jacqueline Duchamps. I don't know if you meant it to be foreshadowing, bbut I considered it as such when Ariel says he had heard the name before.
And Nessa got chosen? Crazy! Poor Ariel, though. He doesn't lose his best friend! Does he? We can only hope not. Great chapter, I can't wait for the next one!
You know, I was in the forums when people started discussing Founder fics, and so I came looking for one. And after reading yours I am truly sad that more people do not attempt to read these stories. I adore what you have written so far, your style flows eloquently and you hook the reader in with small cliff-hangers and mysterious pasts. I am truly sorry that more people do not look up these kinds of fics - because you truly deserve more reviews than this. I hope that you are still writing this fic and haven't given up on it - because I am quiet honestly stuck on it and I'm adding it to my favorites to wait for an update. Don't leave me hanging! This is a well deserved 10 out of 10.
Please say Hermione gets drunk next chapter. Please. It always gives me a laugh.
Plus, drunken choices are always fun. Who knows what she might do ...
Anywho. Good chapter. I like the attitude you give Draco. Very nice. Can't wait for the next chapter. :)
I really enjoyed this so far. I've never seen a fic going in-depth about this stage in James' and Lily's life before, so it's all very new to me. Originality is always so refreshing to stumble upon.
The fight seen you sort of had James reminisce upon was very real seeming, I think. A lot of the time you find people actually going all 'in-depth flashback' on you to try explaining a fight. But the way you just explained it nice and clean-like without a bunch of big words and such was very nice. Just a straightforward explanation to get is caught up on the happenings of events before your fic began.
I though you did a really nice job with James' character. His thoughts and emotions were very real, once again. Like the way he felt sort of useless because he didn't hit a Death Eater in the brawl but Lily did. At the same time, though, I was sort of unsure about Dumbledore. You had him say some very Dumbledore-ish things; it's true, such as the elephant comment. But over-all I found him sort of stiff and a bit too demanding: “I have asked you both here for a very serious reason; even now our enemies might be on their way to act. Please, don’t interrupt while I am explaining, I will be pleased to answer all of your questions as soon as I am done.” The bit at the end there makes it a bit better, but I still can't really see Dumbledore speaking like that unless it was a very, very dark thing he was talking about.
Still, even with that, I thought the way you introduced us into your fic was very nice. You also did a really good job keeping this canon with the books by having Dumbledore talk about his meeting with Trelawney and such. Though, I did notice that in your last paragraph you spell "Sirius" as "Serious". But, anyway, really good work on this, Avenger!
This is myself, I just want to see how the paragraphs work ..
This is a new paragraph ...
Yes, this was myself \"reviewing\". I spent fifteen minutes writing a review for someone and submitted it only to find I had done the paragraphs wrong. It was upsetting, let me tell you.
Anywho, I figured the paragraphs out.
This was beautiful. I had tears in my eyes throughout the entire thing. You captured the emotions of a grieving person perfectly and ran with it. Good job. A full ten out of ten.
Author's Response: Thank you very much:) I hoped that when I did write it, at least a few people would get tears in their eyes, and that it wasn\'t a complete dud of a story ... it\'s nice to know I accomplished that.