My real name is Natalie but everyone calls me Nat-Pat, this is because of my father's evil workmates. The day i was born my dad's best friend put a big sign up in their workshop saying 'Big Dave's got a Nat Pat!' and the name stuck.
Check out Ballindalloch Castle here, http://www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk/ . Enjoy!
This is the Coats Memorial Chruch from chapter 8,
http://www.fenet.co.uk/coats/pic11.jpg
This is actually the church that my University graduation will take place in! Yipee!
And here are the dresses from chapter 9, Mrs Weasley's is Guenevere and the other girls' are Iona.
http://www.bridesmaidsdirect.co.uk/
And here you can find the dress i have in mind for Ellie.
http://www.lindsayfleming.com/sabina.htm
Harry gets a pensieve, YAY! he has to take lessons with Snape, BOO! He and Ginny are having quiet, sweet moments, Whoo Hoo! In case i haven't quite made myself clear i liked this chapter and can't wait for more!
Author's Response: Yes, I think you got your point across and I thank you. Don't we all wish we could have a Pensieve? The lessons with Snape I could do without!
So i was right, it was great. It's nice to see them all do well in their exams and i'm glad that Harry got the captains badge. Dumbledore was absolutely right about the DA, it's a neccessary class for all. I loved the couple stuff as per usual and the little discussion between Ron and Harry really tickled me, they're both being very mature about the whole thing, i'm very impressed. I've got a question for you though. The elder prefects meeting that Hermione was talking about, is she making that up to try and get Harry and Ginny alone? *10* and a nice cookie for you!
Author's Response: Yay - I could use a cookie right about now :-) I'm glad you approve of the continuation of the DA. I debated about it for a while, but it hit me that it just HAD to be in there. Harry and Ron's discussion is mature and I really kind of put it in there to show that they are growing up a bit. As for the elder prefect's meeting, there really is one. I never thought about Hermione making it up, but that's a great angle. I promise lots of interesting situations when Harry and Ginny are alone and Ron and Hermione are off attending their meeting...
Yay! I get to be first! Brilliant chapter, i with every fic i read i love Remus more and more, he such a sweet and sensitive soul. What's the matter with Ginny? She wants to be with Harry and she knows it, she should get her act together! Can't wait for the next chapter! *10*
Author's Response: Thanks so much. Don't you love being the first to review? Yes, I adore Remus and you will be seeing more of him in future chapters. As for Ginny, she does have a reason for acting a bit odd and all will be revealed eventually.
There were so many great things going on in this chapter, and as much as i'm a huge Harry and Ginny fan, my favourite part had to be Sirius's will, what a twist! Only Sirius could have come up with something like that, brilliant! Fred and George's new invention was pretty incredible too, give yourself a big pat on the back for coming up with that. I adored the scene between Harry and Ginny, it was nice to see Harry thinking the unthinkable about Ginny, after all he is a sixteen year old boy and their minds are known to wander to places they really shouldn't. I love this chapter and can't wait for the next one!
Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review! I really enjoyed writing this chapter. Even though Sirius is gone, I wanted to have him do something very Sirius-like and I thought the twist was a good way to do that. I'm glad you liked the Portable Tunnel - we could all use one of those. I wanted to show that Fred and George are quite brilliant and have them branch out a bit. Glad you thought the scene between Harry and Ginny was realistic because we all know how those hormones get away with us. I promise to post the next chapter soon.
Terrific chapter! I'm glad that Harry has finally told someone about the prophecy and i'm even happier that it was Ginny. That little smile on her mouth tells me that love is going to be in the air soon, i'm right, aren't i? By far my favourite bit had to be the very last scene between Ron and Harry. That was some classic HP comedy right there! I can't wait to read the next chapter!
Author's Response: Thanks - I'm very glad you liked it. Yes, you are correct that things will be heating up a bit, although you know I'm taking my time with it. I think half the fun is the build-up, so I'm torturing everyone including myself. Thanks so much for your all of your dedicated reviewing - I always look forward to reading them.
CHAPTER 14 IS UP! CHAPTER 15 IS IN QUEUE!
There's only one tiny little thing that i'd like to nitpick if you don't mind? Hermione mentions that they have their NEWT tests this year - NEWT actually stands for Nastily Exhausting Wizard Tests - as i'm sure you know so the extra 'test' isn't really neccessary.
But how much did i love this chapter, let me count the ways... The scene with Fred, George, Ron and Hermione was downright hilarious, brilliantly funny...Harry's presents were wonderful, i especially loved your descriptions of the pensieve, the photo and the ring...Harry's 'Never claimed to be' moment tickled me too...I can semi understand Ginny's annoyance at Harry's expenditure but please, please let her accept it...I'm softening to Draco but only ever so slightly...Poor Zeppie, a Gryffindor if ever i saw one!...and we're back to Grimmauld Place, as i'm going to explore it more in my fic i've grown this appreciation for it and ithink it's where Harry should be, he can keep Sirius's flame alive there.
Now i want to apologise for monopolizing so much of your time but i really loved this chapter and it's great that you're updating your fics so often (she stares embarrassedly at the floor). *10* - you deserve it!
Author's Response: Okay, I went back and fixed the N.E.W.T. line, thank you for pointing it out. I AM rereading right now, but I'm only as far as CoS, so I couldn't remember right off hand what they stood for, but it's fixed ;) I'm terribly glad you liked the scene with Hermione, Ron, and the twins. I LOVE the twins, but hadn't had a good chance to put them in this story yet. Harry getting the Pensieve was a last minute idea while I was writing. And don't worry, I have an excuse all worked out for Harry that will get Ginny in a better mood about the Firebolt. I had to have her throw a little coniption, because I knew I had some readers that would think she was OoC if I didn't. Besides, every relationship has to have some bumps along the way. It would be nice if they were all perfect though :) The attack on the Burrow was also a last minute idea. They won't actually be at Grimmauld Place for too long, since Ginny's birthday is August 11, they only actually have a few weeks until school. I'm actually glad you're softening to Draco. I will have him behaving a bit differently in this fic, and I hope everyone likes what I do with him. He is, however, going to put his foot in his mouth once they get to Hogwarts. Don't worry about leaving a long review, I love to get them. It's great when a reviewer takes the time to mention the bits they liked. And PLEASE hurry up with your next chapter!
Are you ready?
Oooh the Brilliance! I can't think of a word strong enough to tell you just how much i enjoyed the Fred and George scene, i haven't laughed so much in ages. I liked the quick mention 'filling and drilling is their pleasure' hehe! And the pulse bit was hysterical, the next time someone tells me i'm dead i am SO going to do that. Usually i go for the 'well i look awfully alive for a dead person' routine but yours is better.
I'm glad that Harry managed to bring Ginny round and what a terrific excuse. You mention the PURPLE STREAKS again, YAY! I'm growing very fond of them - i particularly liked the way you mentioned that they were stubborn, just like Ginny.
After Draco's letter to Mrs Weasley i did feel a surprising amount of sorrow for him, it felt highly unnatural. And when he got that note from his father at the station i just thought 'No!'. I then actually found myself saying 'Go Draco!' when he called the Slytherins a bunch of nobheads, it's a bizarre feeling.
Thoroughly enjoying it thus far, and very excited about the next installment!
Author's Response: Of course! I'm always ready! I added the Fred and George stuff in this chapter because so many people loved them in the last chapter! Yes, the purple streaks are quite popular, so I have to mention them once in a while. If you like them, just wait until chapter 5 of Baby is up :) I put a lot of thought into Harry's explanation to Ginny about the Firebolt. I understand your feelings about what I'm doing with Draco in this story. I'm trying to slowly change him, and make it believable at the same time. Who wouldn't reassess their life, after seeing what he did. I will hopefully be putting up chapter 6 in the next day or two. Thanks so much for the long review!!!
YAY! Great Chappie! I loved it, the Draco/Luna stuff was really quite sweet, poor Draco isn't safe anywhere is he? The talking dragon was pretty ingenious, good story behind it too. Looking forward to seeing what happens next! *10* (With you it couldn't be anything less)
Author's Response: No...unfortunately Lucius seems to have eyes everywhere. Glad you enjoyed the Draco/Luna stuff! Thanks for your continued reviews!
Didn't i promise you that i would come and review? Don't you just love it when people keep their promises?
Okey doke, back to the business in hand, it was a fab chapter which i really enjoyed. Ginny's threat to Draco was funny and after HBP part of me would really like to see her hex him again, maybe you could work that in, as an accident or something. The scene between Draco and Luna was really sweet and i felt rather warm and fuzzy about the whole thing.
The sorting hat's song was brill, my favourite line was "I can feel it in my stitches, I can feel it in my brim" that was an excellent way to describe its feelings.
I'm glad that the guys finally got some recognition for all the things that they've been through to try and stop Voldemort, it was about time.
Your descriptions of Ron and Hermione's new quarters was great, really enabled me to make a solid mental picture. Oh and Zeppie's back, i do love him, he's adorable!
The more i think about it the more i settle on Charlie as our new defence teacher, i hadn't even thought about the fact that the fic was call Year of The Dragon until Sunshine 1313 pointed it out, that has pretty much decided it for me.
Once again i've blabbered on for too long so I can't wait to see the next chapter will be my final sentence!
Author's Response: Yes, I do love it when people keep their promises :) I knew I could count on you! Yes, after HBP Draco could use a good bat bogey hex! Thanks so much for liking the Sorting Hat song! I thought that everyone deserved some awards! And I'm glad you could picture Ron and Hermione's rooms in your mind. That was all I could hope for! Well, Charlie is an excellent guess. I will tell you that that isn't the reason for the title. The reason for the title pops up at the end of chapter 7 (which is up!)
Author's Response: Yes, I do love it when people keep their promises :) I knew I could count on you! Yes, after HBP Draco could use a good bat bogey hex! Thanks so much for liking the Sorting Hat song! I thought that everyone deserved some awards! And I'm glad you could picture Ron and Hermione's rooms in your mind. That was all I could hope for! Well, Charlie is an excellent guess. I will tell you that that isn't the reason for the title. The reason for the title pops up at the end of chapter 7 (which is up!)
I understand what you mean about Ginny, it can't all be sugar and roses can it. My chapter is in the queue, look for it on wednesday or thursday. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting!
Author's Response: YAY! A new chapter from you!! Can't wait! I'd like to plug your story at the end of my next chapter, if that's alright with you. I'm trying to do that for stories that I think are brilliant, and yours is!
Unlike lovegood i was actually rolling on the floor, very literally. That chapter was nothing short of comic genius, Draco was brilliantly funny. It was nice to see the effect that Hermione and Ginny had on their men, they're all so in love, bless! If Snape doesn't like it then let him go eat dragon dung. A name for the crup...padfoot...snuffles...prongs(well he does have a fork in his tail)...sadly that's me out of ideas! Can't wait to see Draco back to normal, i really hope he does end up on the business end of Ron's fist!
Author's Response: Hahahaha! I hope you didn't injure yourself :) I'm very flattered by your comments!!!! I wanted to give Draco a little bit of a lighter side before the foursome finds out why he's there. Sadly, the Calming draught will wear off in the next chapter. Thanks so much for the crup name suggestions! Draco won't be completely back to normal though, you'll just have to read why.
I forgot to mention Zeppie and Winky! They're married? That's soo cute!
Author's Response: There's going to be a whole explanation as to how they could be married and not be together. Maybe in chapter 9.
Another chapter YAY! This one was as good as any you have ever written and was well worth waiting for. The little tidbits between Charlie and Morgan were very sweet and funny. All your Harry/Ginny and Ron/Hermione scenes were wonderful as usual. Yur descriptions of the outfits and decorations for the Unity Ball were outstanding and really set the atmosphere. It's so sweet that Dobby's married and such a shame that he can't be with his wife, i hope that Harry adn Ginny's plan works and we finally get to meet Corky, she sounds adorable. I really like this new Draco, in particular the voice in his head, it cracks me up sometimes. I can't believe you're going to leave us hanging like that so you better keep your promise and make sure that it isn't too long before the next chapter goes up! Terrific stuff!
Whoo Hooo! There are several reasons for the that, namely you picked one of my suggestions and two the purple streaks are BACK!
You explained everything pretty well but it is going to take a good while before i'm prepared to feel sorry for Draco.
There was some lovely fluff in this chapter, along with some very nice comedy - Zeppie is just adorable and it's nice to see he has Dobby's colour co-ordination!
Sitting here on edge, waiting desperately for the next chapter!
Author's Response: You and padfoot36212 both suggested Padfoot, and I got to thinking that it would be appropriate to name a dog after Sirius, either Padfoot or Snuffles. Padfoot won out in the end. Yes, I had to mention the purple streaks again, or Burrowbrat would have been very upset with me :) I figured it was time for a little fluff since up till now in this story there really hasn't been much if any. I'm glad you like Zeppie, some reviewers seem to be a little suspicious of him, but I promise there is no reason to be! I understand your reasons for taking some time to feel sorry for Draco. As the story progresses you will see him as a bit different, and I hope you will enjoy what I do with him. Still yet, no one's said anything about my favorite part :) I'll get the next chapter up soon!!!
Ooooh! Ooooh! Bravo, what a start! I loved it, my favourtie line was belonged to the ever lovable Ron - 'That's my 'Mione, saving the world one house elf at a time' - very, very funny. I can already tell that i'm going to love this every bit as much as CoC, maybe even more! *10*
Author's Response: That line was one of the only bits of humor I was able to fit into this chapter. It was for the most part a summary of what went on between CoC and the beginning of this one. I hope you do enjoy it as much or more!
Another fantastic chapter, i'm so glad it's Charlie, i do adore him! The Unity Ball sounds like an interesting idea, i think that could definitely have some strange consequences. Dobby and Zeppie's families knew each other, is that an important plot point there? Anyway you know that i loved this, and big HOORAY for the super fast mods (there are one or two of them out there - i happen to have one too!). I'm very excited about the next chapter and i'm really looking forward to seeing it!
Author's Response: I think Charlie would be a really interesting character, and we really don't know a whole lot about him. There will be some interesting things going on at the ball (it'll probably be in chapter 9). It's mildly important that Dobby and Zeppie's families knew each other. It's even more important that Zeppie knows Winky, and you'll find out why later (maybe the next chapter if I can squeeze it in). Aren't fast mods the best?
Hehe! very funny - i enjoyed it, such a nice break from the long chapters i've been reading today!
Author's Response: Thanks!
Help i need my sides sewn back up! That was brilliantly funny, i cackled the whole way through. Spectaular stuff!
Author's Response: i am studying to be a nurse but i don't know if i'll ever be qualified to sow your sides back up, sorry...better head off to the emergency room, lol...im glad i could give you a nice laugh =)
Okay, i know that i already reviewed this over at HPFF but i'm a generous sort of person and thought that i'd review it here too!
It was so brilliantly funny, there were just so many fantastic parts that i really don't know where to begin. McGonagall suggesting that Snape prefers men - that actually heralded tears of laughter.
Harry and Ginny's admissions were just perfect! I had a couple of rather odd snorts and giggles during that.
The stuff about Dumbledore and McGonagall was great, had me doubled over and gave me sore sides!
The antics between Ron, Hermione and Draco were by far the best part, i fell off my seat and came within inches of giving myself a concussion.
I have an idea of how to convey just how funny this was. Imagine that you're standing in the middle of the desert and there is a line drawn in the sand at you're feet. Do you see it? Well, when you cross that line you are officially hilarious. Now look back up at the flat, grainy landscape in front of you, do you see the dust clouds ahead? What about the little black speck beyond them?It should be somehwere around the place where the yellow of the sand meets the blue of the sky, can you make it out? Well, that's you and you're about 12 states past the funny line. Congratulations to you!
Stupid question for you, can you tell that i liked this? But then again considering that you wrote it, was there ever any chance that i wouldn't LOVE it? (Nah) I was very pleased to hear that you're writing a follow up, that will undoubtedly make my day when it surfaces. Kudos to you Crafty!
Author's Response: Well, all I can say is I'm thankful you're such a generous person. This review was so great to read! It's like it's own little story :)
I managed to keep myself awake into the wee small hours of the morning just so i could read this chapter, that's how desperate i was to see it. Was it worth it? You know it was!
I was right about the town and it always makes me happy when i'm right. Your descriptions of the scenery were excellent, as always, and i'd like to stand in line with Fantasium to buy a travel book by you. Your attention to detail is mind boggling and really does make me want to go and see all the places that you describe.
Calling the interior of the hotel as a 'candyfloss explosion' really tickled me, as did all the things you said about the hotel, i was tickled pink! (oh the irony!). Poor Remus had to suffer twice in the one night, a Malcolm indeed, and being stuck in bed beside the woman you're desperately in love with but can't have? That was sheer cruelty on your part, and even if Remus does forgive you for it; I'm not sure that i could.
The scene at Hogwarts really made me want to cry. I think that was mostly down to McGonagall, she's usually quite a thorny thistle and there she was wrought with emotion. It was just so touching and emotionally charged.
The scene between Maeve and Snape was spectacularly done, it was something that i had been looking forward to and i was not disappointed. You kept Snape very true to form, but showed his dedication to Maeve very well. I was delighted to know that Narcissa had lied, if it had been true it would have crushed Maeve. Your explanation of Regulus being R.A.B was great and i really liked the way Snape talked about him. Draco's reaction to Maeve's presence was no less arrogant than i would have expected it to be and i was delighted when Snape brought him down a couple of pegs.
The line in the chapter that really caught me and took my breath away was the following, '...splinter of sorrow chipping at his heart.' When i read that i just thought wow, that is an amazing peice of imagery that really caught my breath. You continue to surpass your previous excellence with every chapter and i only wish that i had the same way with words. I can't wait to read the next chapter, it should be wonderful!
Author's Response: Hee hee... Remus has a lot not to forgive me for, poor man. Once I'm done with him he'll need a year-long holiday in the Bahamas to recover!
Professor McGonagall is a thorny character indeed, and sometimes very hard to capture correctly. I wanted her to get emotional, because she does it so little. The scene with Maeve and Severus was very emotional to write. And yes, had Severus confirmed what Narcissa had told her she would have been totally crushed by it. I think she would rather have Snape the Murderer than Snape the Adulterer.