I liked you poem. I was wondering if you had time to explain the last stanza a little bit. When you say the power they have is not love you took me by surprise, which is what sets this poem apart. Without the closing lines I don't think the poem would stand out for me. Do you mind explaining a bit more about what you meant?

Pax.

LOL! Is Voldie watching the sky for the Dark Mark? *chortles* Such a well done valentine! If only the pasty, red-eyed, spider-handed, bald, noseless hunk would send one to me! I think I would swoon.

Pax.

Author's Response: thanks for the review. Actually, when i wrote the poem i ment for him to be watching the sky for and owl to deliver a responce. But your idea is good, too.

So good! I'm sure this is how she will feel at the wedding unless Harry musters up the gumption to eat his words. Once again, you know how to capture the feelings of completely different characters and translate them into poetry.

Quick correction, one of your lines runs "It not that I'm not delighted..."--- you're missing the 's' in 'It's'.

Keep writing, you're really good.

Pax.

Author's Response: thanks for the review.

What a happily written, lovable perspective into Arthur and Molly's romance! You made me smile. The characters were perfectly reproduced and the plot believable. I completely understand poor Molly's desperation *grin* and applaud her wonderful way of taking command of the situation. You really made the young couple's predicament come alive. I was not expecting Lucius to be have his eye on Molly, but that doesn't make it bad. Your writing style is impressive.

I'd love to see more one-shots along the same lines. Ever think about maybe giving us a glimpse of their quiet wedding or when she tells him she is expecting? I can never get enough of the beautiful, touching moments (and less of the broom-closet relationship play-by-plays.)

Happy Christmas!
Pax.

I think your poem here is well done (and-- bonus points-- correct.) Super-duper. I was totally drawn into Snape's narrative. It was so delightfully... Snape-y! Bravo.

My only criticism-- the phrase 'until need be' in the third to last stanza has been used incorrectly. It needs an object. Its a pity since it fits in so perfectly.

More, more, more!

Pax.

Author's Response: thanks!

Good job! I think you did a great job introducing the characters here and in drawing the reader into the mystery of the locked room. I liked how you revealed some things, but not too much-- makes for an evil cliff hanger.

Keep writing.
Pax.

Hello there! I think you have a really neat idea here. It is nice to see the world of Hogwarts through the letters of a student.

I would like to suggest two things. First, don't hesitate to develop Emma's character through her letters by letting us know a lot more about what she thinks and feels. There is a huge opportunity here to build up a lovable girl that your readers can identify with. Most, if not all, of your readers know about what happened to Harry his first year. I would suggest making Emma's letters do more then just relate those events. Have Emma really give a whole new perspective on Harry's life, or use your story to show 'missing moments' in his school years. Go wild with your imagination here. I LOVED what you did with Fred and George's hair color potion! Have more stuff like that; that was so awesome.

Second, have you though about showing Emma's letters to other people then just her grandfather? Her letters to her mother and cousins(?) might be a nifty thing to try your hand at...

I hope this review isn't overwhelming. I am probably offering a lot more then you need to hear.

Great work, and keep updating. This fic is ready to go places!

Pax.


Author's Response: Thank you for taking the time to leave such great suggestions! It really wasn\'t overwhelming, it\'s great to know someone is reading so carefully and thoughtful enough to leave such a nice note. Hopefully I won\'t sound defensive, but I really did think about both of your concerns as I worked on this story. So here\'s a bit of insight into the deepest recesses of my mind . . . As to Emma writing to other people beside her grandfather: again, I absolutely thought about it. But for this piece I wanted to keep it consistent: I felt like jumping around from a letter to her mom, to a letter to her dad, to a letter to her cousin would be too difficult to follow. This way she is telling a more continuous story to one person. But that said, I originally envisioned this character for a series of challenges, and had her writing a different set of letters for each challenge, each centered around a different theme, each from a different year of her schooling at Hogwarts. Without giving too much away, since I may continue with this someday, Emma does not write to her grandfather exclusively through the years. But for this challenge, she did, for the reasons above. :) As for your other suggestion about developing her personality and experiences a bit more - yes, you are absolutely right. I could definetly see how as a reader that would be highly desirable. Hopefully I can do more with that if and when I continue her letters through the years. But again - for this challenge I deliberately set out to detail her thoughts about Harry. She\'s got a small crush on him, although I left a hint at the end that that could be changing. But again - should I continue working with Emma, I know a bit more of her will reveal itself, because I\'ve planned for some of it already. Can\'t tell, though. ;) So that\'s what was going through my mind as I worked on this. And like I said - should I follow Emma through her years at Hogwarts, I will definitely branch out a bit and hopefully incorporate your suggestions more. Thanks again for your wonderful note, I really appreciate it. Take care! ~Gina :)

err, alright--current reaction:everyone is OOC. I am sure your story will explain everything, but you probably should have introduced the radical changes more slowly.

I don't think McGonagall would have hired smeone out of the blue. A teacher, who will be around kids? There are safety issues to be considered.

Anyway, I'll give chapter two a try. You did a good job building up the mystery and suspense.
~Fauna

Author's Response: one thing i like to inform readers of is that everything in my story has a purpose, a reason for being the way it is. for example, there\'s a reason mcgonagal hiring landon the way she did. but i\'m glad you are continuing on to chapter 2. my best writing picks up in the later chapters, so enjoy!

Wow! Unique. I loved it. I can honestly say I thought your version of the final battle was better then JKR's (which I frankly found very disappointing.)

You have such an interesting interpretation of Harry's character. It doesn't exactly fit with the Harry in Rowling's books, but your Harry seems to be a more mature rendering of a boy who grew up in the same circumstances/world/environment. Do you know what I mean?

The one thing I have trouble understanding is Harry's reaction to Ron's death. It seems to me that some part of him would feel sorrow... just like some part of him still finds joy in something as simple as flying. However, this is only an opinion...

Thanks for posting this one shot. I enjoyed it immensely. Now I'm off to see if the next chapter of The Song of the Trees is up yet!
~Fauna

I loved it... but if Lily is was so good at Charms why did she need matches?

Pax.