I'm a thirtysomething mom of 3 who uses HP as an escape. I'm thoroughly addicted. I've got strong opinions on characterization, and I've become an ardent H/G fan since Order of the Phoenix.
If you're a fan of TSH - Potterficweekly.com is starting weekly podcasts on 6/8/2007 discussing the fic before the release of Deathly Hallows. There is a forum where you can leave comments to be discussed. I hope to see you there!
Oh, I'm SO glad DD said that about Quidditch. I was so afraid Harry would have to give up the one thing that simply brought him pleasure. He needs to have some fun in order to rememer what he's fighting for, right?
Author's Response: 1/4 cup fun, 1/2 angst, 1/4 cup awkward romance..... what other ingredients are there for our poor Harry?
So glad to see you back! Voldemort is after the Seer, then? Hmm, Trelawney or someone else? Is Parvati's fascination with Divination tied in to her kidnapping? Hmm
I liked how DD showed Harry the flaws in his thinking, although I still think he rather downplayed Harry's role, but it was still a nice scene.
I LOVED that Harry almost told Ginny. That scene was so nicely done and I could have strangled McGonagall. Harry needs to open up a little before he falls apart. I hope to see more soon.
Author's Response: Oooooh, thank you, thank you, thank you. I was wondering if you were still reading. I love your questions and hypotheses... they make me feel like I actually have some depth to my writing. I didn't intend for DD to downplay Harry's role at all... Harry just needed to realize the big picture. As for Harry nearly telling Ginny... :D :D :D We'll have to see where that goes... Thank you so much Melinda!
I loved the H/G moment at the end - she always gets to him. I'm quite put out with Ron, however. He was angry with Harry for pulling away and blaming himself for everything that happened, that everything is not about him, yet he was also angry that Harry got the attention and the glory for the exact same thing because everything is about him. It's so unfair to Harry, but it is all about him. I wish he'd tell his friends because it's tearing him apart, and I'd prefer to see them offering some support. He desperately needs it.
I'm surprised Parvati is still alive, DEs don't strike me as the compassionate sort. I wonder what else is going on here.
Author's Response: Hey Melinda! True, Ron can't seem to see the irony in the situation. As for Harry, well, his time is coming to unload some of the burden, but not yet. There is much more to Parvati's kidnapping than some DE fun...
OMG, reviewing on this site is SO annoying! How long until they fix the log in issues, I wonder?
Anyway. I really hate Dean. How dare he think he can just sit with them at dinner and hear what Harry's doing? Hmmfff. And exactly WHERE did he and Ginny go after the feast? I don't think I like this. I'm not so worried about Parvati since Harry's clueless. Grin. I like him that way, though, and he already has it bad for Ginny. I do wish he'd tell Hermione to just butt out once in a while though.
I loved his astonishment when Hermione told him Parv and Lav talk and giggle cuz Parv likes him, lol. "That's what that means?" Oh, he's precious!
Author's Response: Oh, how I laughed when I read this review... and now that you've read more, I'm sure you know why. Will all sins be forgiven???? ;)
This was a great chapter. I felt so bad for poor Harry, but I loved the Puking Pasties, lol. I could just picture the horror on Malfoy's face, snigger! I love that Ron carries them around, as well. DD did make the right decision in keeping Harry within Hogwarts, but it is so unfair to the poor kid.
Author's Response: Glad you liked it! ;)
Growl. I'm no longer finding Parvati amusing. At all. The little slut. I do have to say, I find it highly unlikely that Harry would ever kiss anyone during class. I know I sound shockingly like Hermione - but this is one area that he's just not brave enough to do that. Nope, not happy here.
Author's Response: Awww, can't Harry have a little fun? Okay, okay.... not very Harry-like, but gosh darnit, he needs some distraction!
Oh, I liked this chapter MUCH better! Kissing in class...honestly? From the boy who spent his entire first date agonizing over whether or not he should hold the girls hand? Pfftt.
Anyway, I REALLY hope this guy isn't a bad guy. Harry and Ginny both just gave him an awful lot of information that could be used against them. Gulp. I hope DD knows what he's doing - it's not like he hasn't made mistakes before. Yikes. Intense stuff. I loved the raw emotions when Harry revealed what he heard when the Dementors are near him.
Author's Response: Thanks. It was time to get a bit more into the nitty gritty.
Snigger, Harry the reluctant sex symbol - I love it and it seems so much more in character for him. I can't tell you how delighted I am that we're done with the token other girlfriend phase. Honestly, I don't think it worked simply because it was obvious the real dramatic tension is between Harry and Ginny. I felt like Parvati was used for the sake of dramatic tension when none was necessary. The HP universe is filled with angst - real angst - so adding romantic angst seems kind of trivial. My opinion, I know, but there it is. I'm looking forward to getting back to the real issues - Voldemort, the excaped DEs and their hunt for Harry. Never mind the Prophecy reveal. Let the drama unfold!
Author's Response: I never thought of Parvati as a source for romantic angst, more so as a stepping stone. Harry's relationship with Cho was far too short and trivial to really give him any kind of experience. With Parvati, although it was short, he now knows what he doesn't want, and I thought that was very important before he starts up with **cough, cough** anyone else.
Wow! I didn't see that coming! Hey, that reminds me - did they ever find Kingsley? Tonks got kidnapped and survived, so I'm guessing this doesn't look good for Parvati. I loved the dinner with Harry and Ginny, and the Quiddtich match was great. I'm glad Harry caught the Snitch - that seems much more likely. Really great chatper - now I'm stuck waiting for more.
Author's Response: Hmmm Kingsley... you thought I forgot about him..... hmmmm..... Glad you enjoyed the mini-Quidditch match - I had fun writing it. More on the way!
Wow! Some birthday surprise for poor Harry. I knew that guy on the Ferris Wheel was trouble. I did a search after finding the beginning of this on Checkmated and was pleased to find more here. Of couse, the H/G interaction that began made me smile and my interest level zoomed upwards! (and it was already high!)
Author's Response: LOL, I just responded to your review on Checkmated!!! Glad to see you tracking me down. Keep reviewing... I love it!
This was a tough chapter, and I almost think it moved too quickly. Since I wanted Harry to get over it, I can let that go, lol. I can completely see him reacting this way and wanting to push his friends away to keep them safe. Who can blame him? But, seriously, the Mudbllod comment was completely OOC. He didn't even know what it meant until a few years ago, and he simply wouldn't even see it as an insult if he were looking for one. I really liked the chapter, but that threw me so much - because I generally think you do keep him in character - that it took me several paragraphs to get back into the groove of the chapter. Even now, it still feels very off to me.
Author's Response: Hmmm... I guess I thought that Harry was so desperate to try and push his friends away that he would resort to something that he wouldn't normally do in order to keep them safe. I'll revisit that when I go to submit it at CM. It has to be something harsh ... now you have me thinking.
Uh oh, having to see the Headmaster BEFORE the feast can't be good. Gulp. Despite the lack of H/G in this chapter, I enjoyed it. Parv and Lav were annoyingly funny, and Harry's cluelessness is always charming. I'm begininning to wish the Hogwarts Express rolled over Dean, however.
Author's Response: Oh, I'm enjoying your reviews so much! I do have to wonder what you will think about ... hmm, I guess I just have to wait until you get to that part! ;)
I'm thrilled to see you back! I had to laugh at Ginny yelling at Ron, Hermione and Harry for listening to a private conversation when she was having it in the middle of the common room, lol.
I also really loved the dragon. I thought it was so cute, and so touching, and a very nice gesture on Ginny's part.
I'm more leery of the Shacklebolt idea. Although I'm thrilled to see him, I find it harder to believe he could enter Voldemort's inner circle so quickly. Voldemort seems far more selective than that.
Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed the \'fight\' scene, as well as dear Norbert. I understand your apprehension over Shacklebolt. I hope to explain the situation in the next chapter. It does seem unlikely that he would be able to get close to Voldemort, I acknowledge that. Thanks for sticking with me through the LONG wait.
I love the Fat Lady!
Author's Response: Teehee! She does come in handy, doesn\'t she? :D
I liked this chapter - great dramatic tension. Wow, I wonder what happened to Tonks and Shacklebolt? I must admit, I feel like Parvati has put a small pinhole in my bubble of enthusiasm, lol. Harry doesn't seem to really care about her, he's just using her for homework, and I don't like to see him that way. I hope he comes to his senses soon. I wonder what Remus is doing there? I hope it's not bad news about Tonks. Yikes!
Author's Response: At this point, Harry doesn't really know what he feels. It'll come...
I really liked this chapter! The mock battle was loads of fun, and I liked how the teams were mixed. I'm glad Neville got some glory and the chance to finally lay out Malfoy. I do hope that at some point Hermione messes up. I know she's brilliant and all, but I think she has the tendency to panic in an actual situation and I'd like to see that exploited, lol! I think I might still be angry with movie PoA Hermione, grin.
Author's Response: Yes, Hermione is far from perfect. I've been trying to figure out what you mean by PoA Hermione - which incident are you referring to?
Hey, it's great to see you back!!! I loved the article in the Prophet. Sounds like something Rita would do. Poor Harry, you described his desperation and despondency really well. I was feeling for him.
I'm disappointed in Ginny. Certainly a brief show of solidarity would have been appropriate Harry had the right to feel let down by her.
Author's Response: ahh, thank you, Melinda. It always pleases me when I want Harry's situation to be depicted in a certain way and a review like yours shows me that I've accomplished it. Thank you!
That was a great chapter. Great idea making Hermione insist Harry and Ginny come under the Invisiblity cloak so we could see what happened. Nice job there. I loved the image of Hermione refusing to go and ruining all their plans. I could just picture the look on Harry and Ginny's faces. I also loved that McGonagall helped them out - it seems like somethig she'd do.
I'm wondering what happened with the Ministry security guy? Did Harry tell him about the rest of his meeting with Voldemort?
Author's Response: Another fun chapter - glad you enjoyed. The Ministry guy is still about... Harry has finished his weekly meetings with him. He will pop up now and then as I need him.
I like the emotional punch you give each of your chapters. I really enjoy that. I'm so glad Mrs. W will be okay, and I love the idea of Dobby taking care of Harry's "Wheezy Mum"
Whoa, hooray for Mrs. Weasley, and I loved Mr. Weasley's reaction. I'm so glad none of them blamed Harry. I'd held my breath when he was standing there with Percy.