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.
Nice work! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. You created a very good, very touching moment!
Author's Response: Well, this is good news. I wrote this merely so that other HP fans could get the thrill I got from this scene. You don\'t know how long I\'ve wanted to get a story like this on paper.
Wow! I was a little hesitant to read at first, but I'm glad I stopped and gave it a chance! Nice blending of fantasy elements and creating a believeable scene. It was well worth the time and made a terrible Monday much better!
Whew! Finally got here! Took me a few days to get around to reading the WHOLE thing - too many people interrupting at the wrong moment.
Overall, I enjoyed reading your story - I'm going to have to go back and check them out again. The teacher in me tends to be tough to please because I'm so used to working with students and horrible writing, but you have managed to do so. Remus & Sirius tie for top billing in my book of fanfiction, so I'm always on the lookout for stories involving them.
The one thing that didn't "click" with me was the boggart - if a boggart is turning into a person's worst fear, why is Sirius' worst fear a werewolf attacking him? I get the impression from how it's written that it was Remus in his werewolf form and that just doesn't strike me as something that Sirius would fear, especially if, by the time this scene takes place, Sirius is able to transform into Padfoot and has seen Remus as a werewolf in that form. It just didn't connect - maybe there's something in your Wolfstar epic that creates the basis and I'm drawing a total blank . . .
Otherwise, looking forward to the rest!
There's more, right? . . . please? You've got my attention with this opening!
Author's Response: Of course! It was originally going to just be a one chapter thing, but I just had to keep typeing.
Great writing! I loved the variety of emotions Regulus displays about Sirius - hating, yet loving him at the same time. That is so true of siblings! Nice work showing brothers being brothers!
Hmm . . . I might need to see Citizen Kane, now . . . just because of this!
Author's Response: Citizen Kane is a classic! Of course you have to see it! :D
Beautiful. Powerful. Masterful. Those words echoed in my mind as I read this piece.
Few writers and even fewer written works truly impress me to such few words. The schoolteacher that occupies my day creates a critic that is tough to please, but you have done it and that is an accomplishment. There is a balance between good and evil, happy and sad, which comes across in your writing. Truly fantastic. I'm really at a loss for words, other than this will be a piece I will highly recommend reading to anyone, HP fan or not!
Thank you for a great piece!
Author's Response:
I\'m truly touched. Thank you so much.
If you do, in fact, want to rec it to non-HPers, the original version can be found here: http://circe-groat.livejournal.com/782.html
Okay, I'm late here . . . massively late, but I'm still here!
I see another fine piece of written work! It took me a bit of work to follow along, but I blame myself for lack of a religious background to work with. Religion is a tough subject for me, both on a personal and a professional level. Personally, I barely would call myself spiritual. Professionally, being a public school teacher puts strict limits on what I'm able to say and how I'm to say it . .
"The continuing celebration . . ." - I think that is SO TRUE of society in general - more so those who say they "celebrate" Christmas! I hate that events lose their significance like that. It devalues their importance.
Loved picturing Harry's reaction and Binns' smile! Again, good job!
Author's Response: The continuing celebration is probably close enough to be a direct quote from ProfPosky, actually. Even though I can\'t remember the context of why she said it right now....
Wonderfully written! It is hard for me to find written work that evokes emotion, but you have managed and that is an accomplishment to be proud of!
Many of the sentiments already expressed here I share, but this story did touch me deeply for personal reasons. I am a teacher now working with the primary-age students in a school where the students like Harry are in every grade and every room. I see them every day and wish I could make things better. No hats or mittens when it's freezing outside. Ill-fitting or worn out clothes - or just plain wrong for the season. No school supplies. Yet, every day, I let them know that they are cared about at school - that they are a person and they can be better. If nothing else, I want the students I come in contact with to feel good about school and about learning.
It is frustrating being a teacher, something I comment on at least weekly and/or daily, but the students, in the end, make it all worthwhile. Thank you for a great story.
Author's Response: Thank you for taking the time to leave such a lovely review, and I am truly flattered to know you enjoyed it so much.
I have mentioned before how much I love it when actual teachers leave such positive reviews on this, as I had no personal experience to draw on when writing, so it is relieveing to know it worked out. I guess sometimes all you can do in this situation is be there for the children though. I admire you for being able to work in what I consider to be a very tough place.
Thank you, again, for leaving so many lovely comments. I appreciate everything you have said, and it must be frustrating suffering this in real life.
First thoughts upon finishing: aww . . . how sweet & sappy . . . take that as a compliment, because I usually avoid anything that makes me think sweet & sappy - I'm not a "romance" person by any stretch.
More thoughts with reading again: I love the undercurrents of angst in Remus that you've woven in. Going with that, being able to see, from Remus' perspective, why that angst is there, is powerful. Everything is a matter of perception. What one person sees, another may not. You created powerful perceptions of Sirius' behavior, that, if I were Remus, would come to the same conclusions.
Well done!
Author's Response: Angsty Remus is my favorite story in the entire world to write. Like in...With You In Your Dreams, just for example. Love, love, love him. And I love you too! *squishes*
Ugh! What have you done!?! When will I be able to look at a chocolate cake again and NOT think of this story while trying to contain the laughter and avoid explaining to people what's in my head!? And I LOVE CHOCOLATE!!!
As usual, I find myself with an active imagination while reading your written words and thoroughly enjoying the pictures being produced. Sometimes, I think Sirius is like a young child, learning something new, such as baking . . . and getting his way! How does Remus do it? I have a classroom full of kids who want their way and I can barely handle them!
Sequel in the works? Another one-shot? Since you've done the cake, how about cookies?
Author's Response:
Meh. I responded to this yesterday and then it logged me off when I hit submit. *smashes internet*
I think the most important bit was something to teh effect of Remus have chocolate and sex to bribe Sirius, but you don\'t have that to bribe your students with. Or at least, I hope not
*hearts*
Great! Loved reading this! Snape is a character I'm getting to know bit by bit . . . I could just picture him in his exasperation with Crabbe & Goyle.
The teacher in me loved the letters! (The worse part probably is that I could undersatnd them because I have students like that.) That gave me a much-needed laugh to get ready for a Monday morning.
How about a sequel with Crabbe's letter?
Author's Response: Goodness, that was a fast review, the fic hasn\'t been on the site for six hours and not validated that long! O_o
Oh god, the non-student in me cringes that you\'d actually have to read something like that. Are they, at least, like, seven? *hopeful look*
I *love* Snape. I mostly write fics featuring him. There\'s another fic of mine (Trust) that another teacher really liked his perspective.
I don\'t know about a sequel - that may depend on my professor - this was a forum class assignment, but I\'m delighted you enjoyed it nonetheless.
Thanks for the review!
Oh, this hit the sweet spot in me! I love it! Great work, Slian! Masterful & powerful!
I don't know which piece I like more . . . the "life is pain" thing, the snowflake-catching, Sirius-as-Padfoot or the "childlike enthusiam" line - tough decisions.
I just know I love it all!
Author's Response: Remus being childlike is my personal favorite in this chapter of the duo (the second of which should be up...soon?) *loves*
Hurt you? NEVER! I may want to hug you with thanks, but never hurt you!
I know I use the words "fabulous" and "powerful" quite often to describe your writing - I'm thinking I need to find a thesaurus and get some new words! Well, they are still applicable here! The books don't give much of a picture to Peter (and definetly not a positive one), but you have done an awesome job giving Peter his own perspective!
Peter's thinking - it has a certain sense of logic to it . . . one that eerily reminds me of ongoing conversations with my father ("Dad, you're annoying me, stop it" "How am I annoying you?" "I don't know, you just are, stop it." "But how can I stop if I don't know . . ." and it gets worse) but I'm rambling off-topic, now. A prime example of how perspective makes all the difference!
Anyway, another fine piece to add to your collection! You are awesome!
Author's Response: I think that the image I portray here is one of a very seriously mentally twisted individual and if the person I portrayed actually existed, I would be really, really afraid of them. Heck, I\'m really, really weirded out by the story and I wrote it! Thanks for taking it through to the end!
Ugh! Where to start? You do know I enjoy your writing, do you?! Fabulous, absolutely fabulous. Your descriptions clearly draw the picture in my mind, creating a scene I want to be in. You have my curiousity aroused . . . where is this going to go? Hmmm. . . I'll be waiting to find out!
Author's Response: LOL. I actually do know how much you enjoy my writing and I appreciate it every time you say so. If I knew where the story was going, I\'d be able to show you, but I\'m not quite sure myself. At least we\'re all in the dark together, right?
Impressive and powerful - I cannot get those words out of my mind when I read this piece. There's so many details that I love - the description of how words have no truth struck with the force of a lightning bolt to my mind. I admit to being a fan of the written word and the power they can create, but your writing has left me realizing how insignificant words can be.
You have fabulous descriptions woven throughout the piece, creating such wonderful imagery. Fawkes is a beautiful character and this is a great way to show it.
Author's Response: Thanks! I was trying for something cool and interesting, just because I love Fawkesie so much and he seems so ancient and wise. Glad it worked for you!