Welcome to my little corner of the world! If it’s winter, bring a warm quilt or two and some hot cocoa. If it’s summer, come in and cool down with an iced beverage or two.
Edit: March 2010 . . . I am now an accredited PI Beta! Thanks really should go to moonymaniac, MaraudersAffair and Auberus for providing me lots of practice . . . but I did it! Yay! (Now to figure out how to get the little pic/banner/thing they gave me to show up on here . . . help, anyone?)
Who am I? A quiet, shy one . . . you'll find me enjoying mysteries of the mind, delving inside to see connections made and new mysteries unraveled . . . what more would you like to know? I'm a hard-working woman by day and a dreamer by night, slowly writing her own work, though it may never leave the file cabinet of her mind. The insanity of my everyday life is on my LJ – feel free to browse there for the general chaos of my life.
What brought me to HP? I was well into adulthood when I began reading Harry Potter. My connections as a teacher made me aware of its existence and the arguments the book brought, but it didn't affect me or the students I was working with . . . until a chance encounter while browsing the web. I came across the speech/paper by Steve Tigner (which can now be found on HP Lexicon), a former professor of mine who introduced and developed my love of classic literature. Seeing his words about a "children's book" was the turning point in finally deciding to read the books. Since reading, they have re-ignited something long dormant: my love for words.
Why am I here? A summer between school years without a second job to occupy the time and the use of a computer led to diving into the online world, which ultimately led to the discovery of fanfiction. The passion for words flared to life, finding and thoroughly enjoying the stories that shared this passion. Though I have some favorites, do not let them deter you. Any story, regardless of subject, rating, warnings, and/or characters may catch my interest. I will give your fair warning: my background as a teacher makes me a bit of a tough critic. However, that same background loves to be impressed by awesome writing.
Remus remains firmly in my favorites where he has resided since PoA. Sirius is also in there , despite OotP and that snarky potions master, Severus, has snuck in, too. Each is a character that I’ve found myself personally relating to, something that comes out in the pieces I write. Marauders era stories have caught my attention, as well as a number of others – just don’t ask me to pick “one” favorite (character, story, etc.). I can’t do it. Although I’ve written and posted some Remus/Severus pairings, they are not the only pairing that my mind holds.
What will you find here? Words are my passion, be it spoken or written. The stories I create are ones of emotion, particularly the dark, difficult kinds. Fluffy is not what I do or write – if that’s your desire, I recommend going elsewhere. If you’re looking for something strong, then take a look.
Thanks for visiting – please feel free to come back! Visitors are always welcome, new friendships are always desired.
Yes! Fabulous again! Well worth the wait for me (and just the antidote needed for the chaos in my life right now)!
Everything that other reviewers have said I will echo. The characterization of Peter - even though we know what he is to become, the Marauders don't know that at this time. He is one of them and this shows it very well. Lindi finally attempting to hex someone thrilled the teacher in me - a step in the right direction! Lily . . again, great characterization and development of the relationship between her and James. Okay, all the characters in general are good and you're keeping it up very well!
Remus & Lindi talking . . . hmmm . . I have absolutely no predictions which way that will go . . . but I'm looking forward to it! It's about time! Just be nice to the recovering wolf, please?
Author's Response: Thank you so much, MaraudersWolf. I\'m so happy the chapter was good for you. :) And as I\'ve said before, nothing makes me feel better than hearing good things about my characterizations! *grin* But no predictions...ahh...*pout* Well, I guess I better get to work on it so we can find out. I really appreciate the review. Thank you.
Okay, I found MNFF somewhere around chapter 30 and this story has stayed at the top of my personal favorites list, not only because I'm a Remus fan at heart, but because of your writing . . . all I can say is I'm grateful I'm on break from teaching at the moment . . . otherwise I would've had to call in sick just to have the day to read from the beginning!
The schoolteacher in me is hard to suppress - it tends to be critical when it comes to written material. There's only so many errors in mechanics, grammar & such (formatting aside) that I can handle before needing to scream and other stories have driven me insane with incomplete sentences and incoherent thoughts, but yours has not done it once! I thoroughly enjoy reading your story - you're great at building the suspense of what's finally going to happen between Lindi & Remus, as well as keeping the characters "in character." (Of course, I am keeping myself from strangling you and saying GET ON WITH IT in whatever direction you're heading!)
Being evil . . . I'll wait and see . . . you've got the suspense built pretty high . . . how hard is the crash?
Bottom line: I'll keep reading until the story is complete. Looking immensely forward to the updates! (Maybe a mental health day will be needed . . . )
Author's Response: Wow, thank you, MaraudersWolf. I am so glad you are enjoying it. I’m thrilled that you have not found too many errors. (You realize you have probably jinxed it and will find loads in the very next chapter, don’t you? Lol) I think I should drag Bridget, my beta, to see this wonderful review. She keeps you from having to wade through some rather awkward and complex sentences. ;) I’m not awful with mechanics, as I had a really wonderful English teacher in the 11th grade. (I hated him for the first semester because he was a pain in my behind. Then we became very good friends and he informed me that it was because he knew I was lazy and he wasn’t going to let me slide. O.O I appreciate him even more after this review.) But, Bridget has reminded me of many things I’d forgotten, and a few I don’t even remember learning, so I give her much credit. Thank you.
But I must take credit for making you want to strangle me! LOL Thank you so much for the wonderful comments on the characters and story. And that you would even joke about calling in sick makes me feel really great! :)) Mental health day…? LOL Thank you for such a fabulous review, MaraudersWolf. I will definitely try to stay on my toes so as not to disappoint you.
Hmmm . . . tough decision . . . not sure . . . . which one . . . . well, having only caught on to the story around chapter 30, I did have to go back and read from the beginning. . . . now, I'm not sure I can choose a favorite chapter/scene . . .
Being a teacher, I'm always thrilled seeing the proverbial "light bulb" go off when a student realizes they can do something that they didn't think they could do before. So, the scene at the end where Lindi finally disarms Remus does have a certain pull to me . . . but then, there's the scene in the next chapter . . .
Great work! Keep it up!
Author's Response: Thank you, MaraudersWolf. I have a few favorite chapters/scenes, if that isn’t too immodest to admit. *blush* This is one of them, as is the next. I’m really glad you like them. Some chapters are just so much more fun to write than others. I feel sure that Remus felt that pull you speak of when Lindi managed the charm. I just love the teacher in him. Of course, I think he forgot it when she grabbed him. ;) *giggles* Thank you again, for reviewing.
Hmm . . . still can't decide . . . which do I like better . . . Lindi disarming Remus in the previous chapter. . . . or the duel at the start of this chapter? I enjoyed reading it, picturing the fun they were having. Tough decision! It'll have to rest at a tie for now.
Fabulous work!
Author's Response: Ah, the duel is what you liked, eh? I did enjoy writing that, but I’m afraid my favorite part was the teasing at the end. *blush* I’m really glad to hear you enjoyed the duel, though. I worry about my “action” sequences, so this is very encouraging. Thank you so much, MaraudersWolf. I really appreciate you for taking the time to review. :)
Aww . . . moony!!!! Love it! Absolutely love it! All of it!! The teacher curse is currently finding a new home at school, so it's sufficiently occupied, but it wasn't needed here anyway! Another excellent chapter! The defibrilator and oxygen tank . . . I think they're safe in the closet for now.
Once again, your characters are extremely realistic - Remus' parents ARE parents and are reactin as parents . . . Mom doesn't want her little boy to grow up and Dad's enjoying the show! The boys are being boys and Lindi's being a girl reacting to the ornament . . . oh, kids. They make life interesting.
The Christmas ornaments were a great touch - made me think of the ornaments that I still need to pack away (ignores them staring at me from the table) and all the traditions my family has. Hmm . . I think it's in the "parent handbook" to have naked pictures of their children for future bribery use - I know some still exist for my brother and I!
To tell or not . . . my vote is not right now - yes, it is something she does need to know, but not right now. Not with everything so "new" to her. Lindi has some fragility to her - there's not much she can handle all at one time - and finding out the truth about Remus right now, I think, would be too much. Give them some time to be in love, something they both need.
Okay, that's it from me. Once again, fabulous work and I'll be waiting for the next chapter!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, MaraudersWolf. I am very happy to hear you enjoyed the chapter. LOL about the naked baby picture bribery! It\'s so true! I need to go back and tally the votes on what Remus should do. ;) Time to be in love...awww...of course, there\'s a war going on. <.< What to do, what to do? :)
Thank you for another lovely review. *dodges teacher\'s curse again* *Phew!*
So, I will be away for the week for Spring Break. I will hopefully get the next chapter back and edited upon my return, so I can post it soon. That\'s the plan anyway. :)
Oh, Moony, Moony, Moony . . . I think I better grab that oxygen tank, brush up on my CPR training and find a defibrilator to revive your fans, followers & faithful reviewers! Stop doing this to us! Although I know I have a high "cliff-hanger" tolerance, I think some others either have or are reaching their limit.
Okay, I have to say again, another excellent chapter so my teacher jinx hasn't kicked in yet. I find emotional scenes to be tough to write and when I read others, they seem to fall either into my "sappy happy" category that I just want to throw something because it's so unbelieveable or my "what? huh? I missed it?" category because they slide by and I'm left scratching my head. Yours, I'm happy to say, fall into the rare few that I enjoyed reading because they didn't fit in those categories. WELL DONE!!
To date, I think this chapter shows how truly "gentlemanly" Remus is (and among the reasons he's in my book of favorites). He could've done so many different explanations for what happened, but did the right thing: the truth. I loved reading Remus' thought processes through the conversation - they are so much "in character" and believeable.
For Lindi, it was nice bringing back the information from earlier chapters that we learned about her - yes, she's a bit of a nutter, but when we're reminded of the background she has, it does make sense how she would react.
As for whoever's at the door, it better be a damn good reason for the pounding . . . like the castle's on fire . . . Otherwise, Remus should make their life miserable in return for ruining the moment.
Author's Response: *grins angelically* *loves cliff-hanger responses* I only have a very short time, as I have company coming for the weekend and the house is a DISASTER! (because I’ve neglected it to work on Chapter 36. *wink*) I don\'t have time to properly respond, so I just wanted to thank EVERYONE who has, for reviewing. I will try to get to them soon, but for now, THANK YOU, ALL! *goes to scrub nasty toilets*
Author's Response: *waves at MaraudersWolf* Still got that tank ready? lol. I think I need it. ;) I\'m so glad you didn\'t find the scene sappy happy or confusing. (I like that \"sappy-happy\" though...*chuckles*) I think Remus wants to do the right thing, though he does struggle with it from time to time, (he\'s human, after all. ;)) I\'m still dreading that teacher jinx and fear for this next chapter. Too many interruptions trying to write it. *makes excuses now, lol* I wonder if Remus would consider the castle burning to be a good enough excuse. He worked so hard for that. :) Thanks for another wonderful review. I really appreciate them. :)
Hmm . . . now, where is that teacher curse? . . . Oh, yeah - buried in paperwork at school, so it's safely hidden, but it's not needed here! Another awesome work!
I'm not much of a "romance" person because I don't deal well with fluffy (or, as my friends put it sappy, happy stuff) - I just have a hard time believing what's written could happen. However, you have written in very believable scenes and I love the images they create! There was a definite softness to the opening and closing scenes, but it didn't have me gagging or screaming my head off because it just wasn't worth imagining. Remus really is a great guy, even if he doesn't believe it himself - gotta boost that self-esteem!
" . . . even if they spontaneoulsy did nothing." That phrase has been stuck in my mind - how do you do that? I think I need lessons, because I can't seem to manage that.
James & Sirius (okay, Peter, too, but I'm more inclined towards the other two) - I can't help but think that "mad, mean, maniacal hexing machine" Remus may need to visit them - it didn't exactly help things, but I was glad to see Remus go back to find Lindi.
Of course, you've got me intrigued - what was in the punch? What's going to happen with the holidays? Will they "spontaneously do nothing?" I've also got a little "niggling" in the back of my mind that you're setting up some things here . . . but I won't say any more!
Author's Response: *Yeah! for no teacher curse* *Phew!* Sappy, happy...*giggle* I\'m so glad you weren\'t gagging! LOLOL I was informed by someone (back in chapter 37) that Remus and Lindi had been happy long enough and it was time to make them suffer again. LOL *muwahahahah*
Oh, I could teach you how to spontaneously do nothing. My friends in high school and college and I were pros! James and Sirius are pains in the backside, (and so is Peter!) *wishes Remus would go really maniacal and permanently incapacitate Peter, then...*sigh* Comes back to \"reality\"* All I\'ll say about what comes next is they do a tiny bit more than nothing, not much more, but it wouldn\'t be much of a chapter if nothing happened. lol Setting things up...oooo, do tell! :)
Thank you, MaraudersWolf.
It just had to happen, didn't it? The story had to update a couple of hours before I was heading out of town and away from comptuer access for 4 days . . . well, at least I got my school computer and printer working so a printed copy could come with me. This is the short review, now that I'm back home - the long version is 4 pages handwritten while reading the chapter out in the middle of nowhere - email me if you want the long version.
First off, no jinx yet! Another finely written chapter! Your characters continue to be extremely believeable, showing that you have put thought, effort and/or experience into considering who would act which way in what situation and how it would be viewed by others. In short, they're people and they're acting like people, making assumptions based on their knowledge and information. I've done it myself - made assumptions only to find out I was wrong.
I have to agree with the other reviewers - the passage about what turns Remus into a "mad, mean, maniacal hexing machine" was memorable (and not because it was the dead of night and only the crickets were talking while I was trying to stifle my laughter and enjoyment for fear of waking the neighbors). Sirius, too, was memorable - although Remus is firmly the alpha in my pack, Sirius is so close (alpha 2) and it was a joy picturing the conversation.
Lindi . . she got a reality shock, didn't she? Good - she needs it. The world isn't as nice and comfy as she thinks it is. There are hard truths out there . . . but can you take it easy on Remus a bit (maybe just a chapter)? He's had a lot to deal with in a short period of time. Let the wolf rest a bit!
Once again, next chapter, please! (I'm not going anywhere for a while.)
Author's Response: Wow! This is the short version? I would love to see the long one! I think…should I be afraid of a 4 page review? LOL But at least the jinx hasn’t kicked in. *sigh of relief* I am so thrilled that you think the characters are acting like real people. Nothing pleases me more than to hear that. I run the conversations and things over in my head and sometimes out loud if it seems a little rough, because I hate reading something or watching something in a movie and thinking “who talks like that?” or “no one would do that.” Granted, this is a fantasy and we can have our characters do unrealistic things, but I want them to do them in a way that would be believable given the magic and their world. Does that make sense?
Anyway, thank you for that. And I agree that Sirius is a close second. I really enjoy writing him. Sometimes it is easy to overlook the others because I find Remus and Sirius so charismatic. Plus, I am much more comfortable with their characters, at least the way I see them. Lindi did need it. I think Lindi finds the darker side of the world much easier to ignore than to face, and you just can’t do that in the ‘real’ world. She has more hard truths that will come crashing down around her, doesn’t she? That is what I love about Remus, (well one of the many things) that he has faced so much and still manages to be so pleasant and likable. *Loves Loves Loves him* Maybe I should take it easy on him. After all, like lucie pointed out, it is called Moments of Bliss, not Moments of Total Agony, LOL! I’ll see what I can do. Thank you for this wonderful review. I’ll try to get the next chapter up soon. I am working on it, but rather slowly. I’m afraid real life is zapping my creative energy right now. Between having to get up too early for school, and having in-laws coming in to town, I’m dragging. I hope it doesn’t show when the chapter is finished. *rolls eyes* /excuses] Thanks again, MaraudersWolf. :)
Whew! Took me a while to get here, but I made it! Laughing is good, but too much laughing gets me coughing and too much coughing hurts at the moment (but it’s getting better). (Darn kids sharing their germs!) First: I put the oxygen tank and defibrilator back in the closet, but they’re close by for the future – I haven’t heard anyone needing them, yet. Second, no teacher curse in sight – another excellent piece! You “paint the picture” in my mind very well and I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw!
Remus getting back at them . . . I thought that showed off his true Marauder side, something we really haven’t seen. We know James & Sirius are the ones with the ideas and lead the pranks while Peter & Remus are just, well, involved, but this was ALL Remus. He was the one in charge and it was nice seeing a little “payback” to the rest. The conversation between Remus and Lily et al had me wondering . . . have you been listening in to the conversations between my father and I? The whole conversation sounds so similar to ones I have with him (albeit not willingly) all the time - the line “I’m just answering your questions. I can’t help it if you aren’t asking the right ones.” is JUST LIKE HIM!!!! It annoys me to no end and I haven’t found a way around it yet! (Even when he’s aggravating like that, I still love him . . . and I can’t help but love Remus even more for it.)
Talking to Lindi in the library . . . loved it! The playful banter . . . the tormenting . . . and he enjoyed it! Good for him! (Now . . . where can I find Remus in the real world . . .) Lindi was great, too – playing along. I loved the word play in the conversation between them – oh, no! I think my father’s rubbing off on me!
(Okay, I broke this review into two parts . . . there’s more with the rest of the chapter!)
Author's Response: Oh, no, I think we might have caught the same germs! I\'m still coughing, and it has been well over a month. (But it is much less now, so I\'ve got that going for me.) I hope it doesn\'t take you so long to shake it.
So, anyway...I\'m so relieved to have escaped the teacher curse again and that you enjoyed it. *tips hat to my beta* “Painting the picture” …that means so much to me. I really worry about that. I get very caught up in “telling” the story and worry that there isn’t enough atmosphere. I obviously love dialogue and I know that descriptive writing is my weakness, so thanks for saying that. Your father sounds like a hoot! (of course, I can imagine that you want to strangle him sometimes. ;) ) Don’t conversations like that drive you insane? *giggles* I really wanted to show Remus\' more playful side in this chapter. I think he has to have a mischievous streak a mile wide, but that he keeps it in check: a) because he doesn’t want to get into trouble and draw attention to himself due to the lycanthropy, and/or b) because he is also a responsible and great guy. Otherwise, why would he have put up with his naughty friends? Yep, Remus is simply too pleasant considering what his life has been like, not to have a naturally light heart, in my humble opinion. If he was all seriousness, by now he would be a gloomy bitter person, I think. And he just isn’t that. I think there is just something so beautifully optimistic about Remus, the way he gets up each morning and keeps fighting for what is good and right, and does it with a smile. I love him! (I don’t know if I’ve said that lately. *roll eyes*) I wish I could tell you where to find him…of course, I’d have to claw your eyes out if you tried to take him so…LOL! Thank you, MaraudersWolf. :-)
Just a bunch of little comments that crossed my mind – as in the part one review, another excellent job! If it weren’t for the fact that they were posted as two separate segments, you wouldn’t see them as separate events – they (like all your chapters) just flow extremely well! (Every author has a long chapter (or two or three . . ), so there’s nothing wrong with it, just as long as it’s well-written.)
Could you have shoved in any more nervousness into the poor guy?!? Good grief! I was waiting for Madam Pomfrey to show up with something to calm him down!
Lindi & those heels . . . I chuckled out of sympathy – I hate those things!
Absolutely awesome job at the ball – I could easily picture the two of them and all the nervousness Remus had. I loved reading his thoughts and chuckling, thinking how much of a “love-sick berk” he is (but he’s so loveable that way)!
Lindi & Sirius dancing – GOOD! Let Lindi see there is a little more to him than just “a beast.” However, I think the wolf is exerting a little too much in the jealousy department . . . other than when she first arrived, Sirius has kept his hands off Lindi, which, to me, shows that he’s respecting his friendship with Remus. Besides, I hope it does help heal the rift between them!
The room behind the mirror . . first of all, will you PLEASE keep the rest of the gang away!? Let the couple have some time for once! Just had to get that in there . . . Second, the CPR thing . . . having a family with a significant medical background while growing up, the whole scene made me chuckle – darn curiousity streak in Lindi! However, I will say that Remus handled the situation fantastically. Only he can say “shut up” and still be a gentleman about it.
“. . . . for one glorious moment of bliss.” Can’t wait for the next one – after all, the story is MomentS of Bliss.
Author's Response: Thank you again, MaraudersWolf. Nervous Remus...I was afraid I would get tons of comments that he was OOC since he is so calm and rational, but I just felt like if anything would make him nervous, it would be his first love. I have to admit that I was strongly influenced with the whole ball thing, by my own prom....(I won\'t go into details, but suffice it to say, it was a disaster and didn\'t end up nearly so well as Remus and Lindi\'s visit to the secret room. *snicker* ) Lindi\'s heels...*cringes at memory of the 3 1/2\" spike heels she used to wear out dancing in another life* Lindi and Sirius dancing...first, that was a lot of fun to fantasize...*would love to dance with Sirius* ;*) But I didn\'t want Remus\' jealousy to seem serious. Hmm....I\'ll look at that. I meant for it to be more the little niggling envy that it wasn\'t him out there and not that he thought Sirius was seriously overstepping his bounds. Just that Sirius sometimes can go a little far in his teasing, but Remus knows Sirius is just playing. The more serious jealousy comes into play in his feelings that he isn\'t really good enough, that underlying insecurity. Thanks for pointing this out.
Keep the gang away? But wouldn\'t you like to see what Remus does to them if they come barreling in? *imagines Remus as the mad, mean, maniacal hexing machine* *giggles* CPR...I loved the opportunity to throw a little Muggle/wizard difference in there. I always love those little snippets in the books. And Remus could tell me to shut up like that any day. *sighs* MomentS? Hmm...well, he\'s had a few now (not romantic but...)...his Hogwarts letter, making real friends, Lindi...I don\'t know, is he about to use up his quota? *evil grin* Muwahahahaha!
Moony, oh, Moony . . . I have not left a review in however many chapters it's been that I've now beta'ed, but I want to leave one not only for you, but also for any of your readers that check out the reviews.
I have said it many times and I will continue to say it: You have an awesome story, one that I look forward to reading. You have a true depth in your characters and your story/plot shows a high level of thought and planning went into its creation. JKR left many "holes" in the HP universe and MoB fits very nicely in there.
I find this chapter quickly ranking among my favorites. The thoughts/dialogue from Remus are extremely thought-provoking and very much needed at this point in the story. It is a moment where we, as the readers, are being allowed inside Remus' mind, just like James, Peter and Sirius are - a chance to see from his perspective what being a werewolf means . . . and you have done it very well!
Be proud of yourself and your work - as much as I do beta, at the heart of it, this work is all yours. I look forward to seeing more.
(And to any fans/readers who actually read this review, no, I will not be offerring any "sneak peeks" of future chapters - you'll just have to wait like everyone else.)
Author's Response: *tackle hug* Just...wow. Thank you, dear. I might have given up if not for your encouragement. Thanks. and sneak peeks...LOL
Ah . . . relief!!! Something to read that will not make me pull out my hair in frustration! The teacher in me did have to hold back the teacher curse a bit at the few typos, but since others have already pointed them out, that's enough.
Otherwise, it continues to be an excellent story! Your characters continue to astound me with their believeability. There's so many bits that I loved while reading this . . . the banter in the dormitory . . . on the train . . . the hesitancy between Remus & Lindi as they figure out this "relationship-thing" - that awkwardness teenagers in love have . . .and Remus' poor mother! Ah, parents . . . they forget the kids do grow up, whether they want them to or not.
Looking forward to the next chapter, as usual! I'm sure it'll be well worth the wait.
Author's Response: LOL! Thank you MaraudersWolf! I don\'t want anyone pulling their hair out. *curses silly typos* Thank you, thank you, thank you for that on the believability of the characters. To me, that is the most important thing, as the characters are what hooked me on the Potterverse in the first place. As you will surely know, the interaction between them is the main focus of this story as there really isn\'t all that much big action. It is definitely more a story about relationships, so, I\'m glad you liked it. Thank you, MaraudersWolf.
Having newly discovered fanfiction, I've enjoyed your story, but this chapter does leave me slightly confused - where/how/what does "Compton" fit in? Is it where Remus & Sirius will be living? Is Remus having regrets about sharing a flat with Sirius? Is he just "homesick" for a home that no longer exists? Is he hinting at his first mission for the Order? I got a little lost at the end, but PLEASE continue the story! I want to see it through to the end!
Author's Response: Hello! I would like to thank you personally for reading \"Dog Years\" here on Mugglenet and leaving me a lovely review!\r\n\r\nUnfortunately, I also come bearing bad news. I will no longer be updating the story on here, as the mods are, in my opinion, a tad too picky about canon and I really don\'t have the patience to change my story to suit their needs. I love it just the way it is, even if some references are ahead of the time frame, and if I use way too many fragments and don\'t decipher descriptions as much as they seem to want me to.\r\n\r\nIf you are indeed still interested in reading this story (and perhaps some of my other fanfiction works), you can find me at http://www.fanfiction.net/~thejazz and \"Dog Years\" is under the title \"Here\'s To The Future\". I\'ve enabled anonymous reviews, so if you are currently not a member do not feel as though you have to sign up to leave me a review!\r\n\r\nAgain, thank you SO MUCH for reviewing \"Dog Years\", and I hope you keep reading!\r\n\r\nxo Jazz
Wow! What powerful writing! The raw emotions over time are so eloquently captured! It is wonderful to read something that is so believeable. The song - I have no clue about, but the lyrics do fit wonderfully!
On a personal note, I find myself being drawn into Remus, feeling that I can relate, in a way, with the death of my mother. Like your portrayal of Remus, over a year later, she is still in my thoughts.
Once again, excellent work!
Author's Response:
IIf you remind me, I can send you the song. Aida soundtrack is tres awesome
*pets*
Love you and thanks!
Utterly overwhelming! I'm just overcome . . . at a loss for words that could accurately describe myself reading this story. Your characters are powerful, as are the emotions portrayed. I've read other works by you and enjoyed them just as much as this one. You truly have a gift of words!
"And that's when the tears come . . . " That paragraph just hit me hard - the picture in my mind of Remus just hits close to my heart. Emotional pain hurts just as much, if not more, than physical pain. I feel for the guy!
Thank you for sharing this story! Again, I say you have a gift of words and I am glad to be reading them.
Author's Response: Thank you!
(do you want this song, too?)
Okay, it took me a while to get here (people need a refresher course in what "do not disturb" means), but I finally managed! I wanted to say nice work and I'm looking forward to more! A good fic always brightens my day.
Author's Response: LOL. I\'m glad you finally made it! Happy you enjoyed it, too. Next chappie is already in Q
Excellent work! I've just picked up this story at this point, but I went back to the beginning and enjoyed every chapter! AU is a category that I'm very picky on, but yours is the only one that has not only caught my interest, but has kept it with every chapter I read.
The schoolteacher in me is a tough critic in terms of grammar, mechanics, etc., but your writing has impressed me! Your style is easy to follow and is utterly and totally believeable. Although I'm a Remus fan at heart, Sirius isn't too far behind and your characterizations of them, as well as all of the other characters are awesome!
Please continue writing! I look forward to each update and seeing the story completed!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I\'m terribly flattered, just so you know. Bad characterisation and bad grammar are my two biggest pet peeves, so it\'s good to know that I\'m doing it right!
THANK YOU! Good things do come in small packages and this proves it! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and am immensely looking forward to the next - not only because of the cliffhanger that you left us with, but also because of the excellent writing. The schoolteacher in me is a tough critic, so those stories that impress me are ones with writing worth reading! (Whew! Those last four words are a bit of a tongue twister!)
I share the thoughts of mgle_teacher - great description of how magic is a part of a person's being. So many other stories make it sound like it's just skills learned and practiced like a sport, but it's more than that and your description shows that.
I also agree with mgle_teacher about the paragraph about "pureblood" society - that their "superiority" may not be because of blood relations, but because of their environment. As a teacher myself (and research in our "muggle" world is now showing), the environment that one is in affects their learning just as much as their genetic background (that "nature vs. nuture" argument). I've also wondered if their "superiority" might have a basis actually in the fear of discovering that they are no better than anyone else.
Finally, Remus and Sirius are my top two characters to read fanfiction about and you have done an excellent job with each of their characters. You are working with information we know, but also developing two very fine men that I can't wait to read more about.
Looking forward to the update!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! This chapter was short, but I couldn\'t resist the cliffhanger. I suppose that makes me evil.
Thanks also for the kind words on the pureblood issue. I\'ve always thought that there had to be some kind of reason for the prejudice. Slytherin has always struck me as too practical to dismiss a whole section of wizarding society out of hand. \'any means to achieve (his) ends\', right?
Good writing - hits the spot for me.
Author's Response: Not sure what you are saying, but i still love the fact that you read and reviewed. lol
Nicely written! Well done! The emotion of Sirius fits well with the moment.
Author's Response: Thanks very much! I\'m really glad you liked it...it\'s always hard to do the \"wrenching\" emotions because you have to really delve into their psychologies...again, thank you :)
P.S. I like your name :)