I am a 29 year-old college professor at a little university in the South. This semester, however, in addition to my usual freshman English classes, I'm teaching two sections on the Harry Potter series as literature. Seriously! Unfortunately, I spend a lot of the the time I'm supposed to be grading papers reading fanfic instead, and I've been writing it for about five years now. In fact, my chaptered fic, "Of Christmas Past," was the first story I wrote and it's still not finished...I'll finish eventually though, I promise! It was on hiatus for a while, but I've started it up again, so it might actually be finished this year.
"Of Christmas Past" was also nominated for the Best Cannon Romance Quicksilver Quill Award for 2009! I'm so excited! I mean, there are over three thousand stories in Romance, and at least fifteen hundred of those are cannon! And I was nominated twice! I don't even mind if I don't win, just to be nominated was an honor. Anyway, good luck to everyone else who was nominated!
Speaking of "Of Christmas Past," I'm very very sorry that it's taking me so long to update it. I keep having problems, and then encountering massive writer's block. But I will finish it eventually, even if it takes me five years. Hopefully it won't, but I won't abandon the story.
If you want to read these in chronological order, they are as follows:
1. "Langlock" - set during James and Lily's time
2. "Chasing Away the Dark" - Ginny's POV during the middle of OotP
3. " Among the Ranks of Heroes" - set right after Sirius' death in OotP
4. "Comforter and Comforted" - set a few days after Sirius' death in OotP
5. "The Monster ON Harry's Chest" - set in the middle of HBP
6. "Twice Lost" - set near the end of HBP
7. "Of Christmas Past" - originally set directly after HBP, but became Alternate Universe after DH came out. So, it's set during DH, but isn't totally cannon, since a few major details changed in DH.
8. "The Queen of May" - technically set during DH, but is mostly a flashback to Snape's childhood.
9. "Falling into Darkness" - set during DH
10. "The Tree by the Lake" - technically set right after the Battle of Hogwarts in DH, but is mostly flashbacks.
Sweet! Absolutely adorable! I would have loved to have seen Rosie as a flower girl or something though, she was so sweet! And very believable too; I find it difficult to write young children, and you did it exceedingly well. Lily and James were great too; very much themselves, but not overly cliched. Lovely!
That was great! This is probably the most unique "H/G after their first kiss" fic I've ever read. I kind of like that you added in the row with Cho, but now I want to know who wins! Ginny will, I'm sure, but it'd be great fun to read. Will you be writing that part?
Author's Response: Ha Ha, thanks!!! I always liked being unique....... :-) I wanted to add Cho because I needed something fun to write, and I don\'t really like Cho much, so she made a good \"bad guy\' for the story.
Yes I will right the second chapter.... should be in he queue by the end of the week. But no Promises.
Thanks For Reviewing!!!
~roXtar
Hi! Thought I'd come read your version of events and see how different they were from mine.
To start, I really liked it! I think you caught Tonks' character really well, though I don't think she would've had more than a fleeting thought about wanting to join Remus. However, you made it believable.
I also really liked your Bellatrix, and I think it was a nice touch to have Dolohov talking to Bella and that's how Tonks ended up fighting her. Having them gang up on her was good too; I never really thought of that, but it makes sense, and you wrote it very well.
I do think Tonks and Remus had a tad bit too much time together; just b/c it was a battle and I can't see her having time to do anything but run around trying not to get killed while he's fighting. But secretly, I was still pleased they got that final little scene together. If beloved characters have to die, they should be able to say good-bye.
They way you had Remus die was believable too; the problem with wizard deaths is that a lot of times, it's AK, and they're dead without getting to have a death scene. Having Remus get Sectumsepra'd and then Crucio'ed so that it opened worked really well, and was, quite frankly, a stroke of genius.
I love Tonks' and Bella's battle of wits too; very in character for both of them, and incredibly well done. An excellent job, look forward to reading your other stuff.
Author's Response: Wow, what an excellent review! Tonks\' thoughts about were difficult to write; that may be why you think they\'re just fleeting. But thank you for saying it was believable.
For this entire story, I just wrote as I went. None of it was planned. I started with the quote, and then I got an idea and wrote it. Then I got another idea etc. I did know from the start that Remus would have a better death than just AK, though. Everything else was spur of the moment. Thanks for the wonderful review! :D
I like it, but I think it's a bit too modern for Beedle the Bard. I mean, this book is supposed to be like, Grimm's Fairy Tales, which were gathered in the 18 or 1900s. They didn't have neurologists back then, and this book was likely written even longer ago, considering it's a book of wizarding fairy tales and their history is longer than the Muggles.
The idea itself is really cute though, and your writing is good. I think it's great that you got Ron reading the story and everyone else breaking in; you've really got the Trio's characters down pat. I particularly liked how Ron didn't want to read it, and then once he got started, he really got into it and wanted no interruptions. Good job, just watch the whole time period thing.
Author's Response: Yeah, originaly there were names for all the characters but my beta told me that there wouldn\'t have been names in a fairytale back then. Thanks.
You did a fantastic job with this; I really like the concept. I think, from the little we saw of him in DH, you managed to capture Albus' character perfectly. His reason for being in the Headmaster's office was very funny, particularly since I can see his father doing the same kind of thing.
Having him talk to the portraits was a brilliant idea, and I'm really glad he got to talk to both of them. I agree with you; I want a reconcilliation between Harry and Snape! And I think you caught it very well. Snape was his usual snarky self, but luckily, didn't get to say much, as Albus immediately started hero-worshiping him. His reaction was great; I can totally see him doing that.
The conversation between the two portraits was a perfect way to end this. Wonderful!
Aw, Harry is so sweet! His voice is perfect; I really like that you've got it in first person. And his characterization is beautiful - he sounds his age. It's really difficult to write a young child, and you do it wonderfully. Your writing style reminds me a little of Frank McCourt in Angela's Ashes - have you read it? You should.
Anyway, really excellent story so far; I look forward to reading more!
Author's Response: I have, actually, and I\'m flattered! Frank McCourt is a brilliant writer. Thanks!
This is a really great beginning to what looks like a fantastic story. I'm always looking for good Andromeda/Ted stories, and this one is wonderful so far.
I really like that it's in Ted's point of view; most of the stories I've found are from Andromeda's, which is fine, but it's refreshing to find something different. I like that he's messy and clumsy; we see where Tonks gets it! Granted, we knew that already, but you work it into your story very well.
I also like the way that Ted and Andromeda's encounters aren't earth-shattering. You're building their relationship in a believable way, particularly for them to have been in different houses. I can see it being very tentative and slow in the beginning, and you've managed to capture that nicely.
Aveline seems like a good OC. She's believable, and not too quirky, like many are. She also seems like she'll be a good friend for Ted.
I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of it!
Author's Response: Thank you. Writing this story, I came to love the pairing and they\'ve become my OTP. I plan on taking this relationship very slow. I don\'t imagine that either one are the type that rush into things. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story as much as you did the beginning. :] Be warned, the rest isn\'t all in Ted\'s point of view. It alternates between him and Andromeda.
Oh, this was so sad! So horribly horribly tragic...I think you captured it very well. It's the kind of thing I would think Alice would be thinking, particularly if her memory comes and goes like that. I wanted so badly for her to talk to Neville, just for a moment...but it slipped away. And that was the worst. But also the best, because it means you wrote it so well. Wonderfully tragic.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I really, really appreciate the review. I\'m glad you thought my characterization was correct; I was worried about that. Thanks again for the review, and I\'ll update soon!
Oh, this was wonderful! I always wished that Harry and Snape could have a conversation like this...and you wrote it! And very well, I might add. I really like your writing style, and I think you managed to capture Snape's snarkiness while making him gentler at the same time. Harry was done well too; very believable as a mature young man. Excellent, excellent, excellent!
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I try very very hard with Snape, and I\'m very happy to read that you find him believeable. I was trying to show both of them having grown a little, and I am glad you feel I succeeded in making Snape \"Gentler\" and Harry \"Mature.\"
This is the most Harry I have ever written and I was a little nervous about how well I did him.
Thanks so much for the review!
This was very well written; you really brought Charlotte to life. It fits that she died, though a happy ending is always nice. However, like you said, not everyone has one, and I like that you picked the more unusual route.
I look forward to reading more of your stories.
No one stole from Scorpius Malfoy unless he allowed it.
*A Scorpius/Rose Halloween story*
This was very cute, and fits beautifully with your other story, "Our Little Secret." I especially love the last line, "He would carve Voldemort." I think it fits with the idea that Scorpius isn't afraid to be the best, even if it means doing something that might offend people. I have a small crush on him, actually. He's awesome!
On a side note, I noticed one of your other stories is called "Dealing With Dragons". I haven't read it, as I just can't stomach the idea of Draco and Ginny together (though I'm sure you write them beautifully!). Anyway, that's also the title of a book by Patricia C. Wrede, which I think you'd enjoy immensely, if you haven't read it already.
Author's Response:
Yay for you having a crush on Scorpius! He's very worthy, :D.
In the Dealing with Dragons author note I say I got the title from the first book in The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, but I actually used it before, in A Tale of Two Matchmakers, the D/G story "Dragons" follows. I think you'd like my Draco/Ginny (The stories were written pre-HBP, so they're AU, what they could have been instead of what they became in canon) but since I have pairings I don't read, I understand, and I went and cut this Dealing with Dragons quote from the last chapter of Matchmakers. ;)
~*~
Draco and Charlie returned while she was reading a book in the lounge. Her brother had a wide assortment of dragon-related books, from the practical From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper’s Guide to the whimsical, Dealing with Dragons.
The moment Ginny had read the title among the many crammed onto shelves filled with novels, collections of myths and drawings, and non-fiction, she’d been intrigued. The author had written about a princess who wanted more from life than the stereotypical prince. Ginny had instantly related when she read, Cimorene was the youngest daughter of the King of Linderwall, and her parents found her very trying.
Diving into the novel with enthusiasm she hadn’t displayed diving into her cold shower, she had just got to the chapter titled In Which the Wizards Try to Make Trouble, and Cimorene Does Something about It and read “The door to the cottage opened,” when the front door was flung open.
It was like a wizard tale. The clever Slytherin helps a hag who later repays the debt. Except that Rose Weasley wasn't a hag, and Scorpius didn't expect to call in the favour.
*Winner of the 2010 Next Generation QSQ award*
I love this story so far, and can't wait for more. I especially like all the fun little details you include; I especially liked Hugo's line (which I recognized) and was just PERFECT, though it did kind of make me not like Hugo a bit more. But not a lot more.
I also really like the different symbols you use, like the apple, but then you add your own touch to make it yours, like making it green. I also like that you've taken reader's suggestions and added them to the story; they've been good so far, and it's a nice touch.
I also really like your characterizations of Scorpius and Rose. They're not caricatures of their parents, which often happens with the two of them. I think you've got them spot on, and I like that you add unique details, like Scorpius' dimple. So cute! And unexpected!
Anyway, I really look forward to reading the next chapter.
Author's Response:
There's a saying, God is in the details, and I really believe every writer creating their dimension of the Potterverse should care about them, so thank you for liking mine!
I think children naturally acquire (by nature and nurture) traits in common with their parents, but everyone's an individual and deserves to be written that way, so I if I didn't already hold you in the highest esteem for appreciating details, I'd heart you for liking their characterization!
I look forward to your reaction to the next chapter! :)
This was so very sweet, and every couple was exactly right. Everyone was beautifully in character, and your writing is excellent, too. I also all the little situations each couple was in. Fantastic!
Author's Response: Thank you very much! :) I appreciate the review.
This whole story has been adorable and sweet and beautifully written. Ron and Hermione are very, very hard to write, I find, but you've done it wonderfully. Everything is believable, and all the characters are perfect. Fantastic job! I can't wait to read the last chapter!
Author's Response: Thanks so much, and thanks for taking the time to leave a review. I've found your story Of Christmas Past and look forward to checking it out in the next few days. I appreciate what you said... keeping them in character is my number one priority, so I'm glad you think it seems okay. Thanks again for the kind words. :)
Let me say again that this was beautifully written. I love that you've chosen to do missing moments; those are my favorite types of stories, and I really think that yours meshes seamlessly with the cannon, even with the extra 15 minutes. I'm very glad you've started writing fanfiction, and I hope to read more of your work soon!
Author's Response: Thank you so much; what a kind thing to say. Missing moments are my favorite as well, or post-Hogwarts, picking up where JKR left off. I am working on something else... not sure how long it will be before it's finished though. Thanks for the encouragement, and for taking the time to leave a review. I appreciate it.
Aw, so beautifully bittersweet, though it's more bitter than sweet. It's almost like he's losing everything twice, since he's dying and also remembering when he lost Lily. Absolutely lovely. I hope to read more of your work!
Author's Response: Thanks for the review! I tried so hard to think of a really happy memory for poor Snape, but I couldn't without it being unrealistic.... Thanks again.
So I waited for my little gem to bear fruit, to become one of those climactic surprises we should have seen coming, but somehow overlooked. Only it never came to pass. The death count mounted to a staggering high, the epic moments came and went, Snape’s back story was finally revealed, and still nothing.
So it has lain, bereft and unwanted, among the detritus of a Diagon Alley the Death Eaters had turned into a bully’s playground. But in the intervening years, this rough diamond has become the inspiration for this story, spreading its tentacles into new and intriguing territories.
Although Harry mentions Chocolate Frog as the title of Mad-Eye Moody’s autobiography at the end of my previous tale, The Dark Phoenix, this version of the story goes beyond that. Nonetheless, the sections representing Moody’s memoirs are clearly labeled.
This story begins with events recounted in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and continues beyond the end of the series. I have attempted to conform to canon as much as possible, elaborating only where the circumstances are vague or passed over. It is an interpretation of the events that happened behind the scenes, so to speak.
I just started reading this story, and it's one of the best I've read. These in-between stories and scenes that you don't actually see are my favorites to read and to write about - there's so much you can do with them while remaining true to the author's works. I think you've done a fantastic job with these.
I also love the way that you write. All the characters are beautifully done, and fit in with what Rowling's shown us, though some (like Dawlish) are very different in a believable kind of way.
I'm looking forward to reading more of this story, and plan on reading the all of your others.
Author's Response: I'm thrilled that you like this story so much. It really did grow out of the cracks that JKR left behind as the summary shows. Glad you found that the characters stayed true enough to canon, even though I can't help but elaborate when things are vague. Dawlish struck me as such a perfectly empty slate in so many ways. I imagined a sort of by-the-book sort of guy, set in his ways in a manner that Tonks would instantly label as chauvinistic; then the Death Eaters take over and he finds depths of rebellion that he never knew he had.
Hope you enjoy the other stories as much as this one. The tone of each one is a bit different and the AU warning indicates when I've taken my own tangent based on earlier books. Don't be a stranger!
As always, the Harry Potter universe and everything in it is property of J.K. Rowling.
This story is on a temporary hiatus until I finish some of my other WIPs. Thank you for coming to check it out, and I promise I'm not going to just let it end here!
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This was beautifully written, and showed us a view of Scorpius that I feel is pretty unique. Like others have said, I never really thought of him as an outsider, but the Malfoys, like their name implies, were never faithful to anyone, so they would have no friends. I like that you gave him his own pride, even though he also feels alone and afraid.
I especially love what you've done with Neville :-). He's my very favorite character too, though I haven't really written about him...must get around to that. I like his characterization, and I really like the way he handles the situation, both with the bullies and with Scorpius - that's an especially delicate matter, and he managed to do it admirably.
I especially love the last line - it's my favorite of the whole story. Fantastic job!