American, enjoying my second childhood, not compu-lit, but trying. Love, love, love the Potterverse, everything and everyone in it!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! I am crazy about AD/MM and you made their first kiss, the fulfillment of their secret hopes, just right. Hope you won the contest.
Hmm...nicely drawn, and I like the flashback to the Basilisk's first strike. Many people do not know that both Minerva and Hagrid are contemporaries of Tom Riddle.
My one beef is that in SS/PS, Minerva reacts to Dumbledore's statement that Harry will have to live with the Dursleys with shock and disbelief: "Dumbledore, you can't!" You take the tack that she is present at the Dursleys precisely because she knows he is going to do this. (Though I admit that this is a better explanation of why she is there than the explanation of SS/PS which is, precisely, none.)
Ooh, I love your characterization of Bella, a no-holds-barred sadist and sociopath. Then in walks Tom. Can't wait to read more.
Wow--you have a way with words. I can feel the fear in the Malfoys and Blacks. And Bella--this explains a lot.
This gets worse and worse (that is, better and better.) Poor Andromeda. She does survive--doesn't she?
This was fun. You had me guessing throughout. And I like seeing a H.Hr fic for a change. Biut Minerva is, of course, my favorite, and you limned her perfectly.
Nice job. It deserved an award. Very authentic, and I like the idea of it being in the mouth of a Malfoy ancestor. It helps me understand the pureblood slant.
Just one thing: watch your conjugation of the verb 'to have'. iIbelieve, though I'm no expert, that it's I, we, you (pl), and they *have*; thou hast, and only he, she, and it *hath.*
Aw...this is so sad. I can't think why Cassandra's parents would do this to her. They must not know how bad it is. And I can see that McGonagall might think it's worth it to be at Hogwarts no matter what conditions you have to live in. The school is her life, after all.
You really make me feel Cassandra's loneliness and despair. And you describe the castle and Filch very well.
Author's Response: Like I said, you ain\'t seen nothing yet... glad you enjoyed it!
What tantalizing possibilities this chapter holds. I dare not guess who Professor Munch is--though I have my suspicions.
And the humor's great! (Cassandra's intention to scold the house elves about the food they've been feeding her and the Attack the Caretaker line to mention only two instances. )
Alta's a real stinker. I was as surprised as Cassandra that she ended up in Gryffindor--although I shouldn't be. All the Houses have had their share of miscreants over time. Gryffindor only looks so good because we always see it through Harry's eyes.
Author's Response: what tantalizing possibilities this reviewer holds! I think this was definetely one of my funnier chapters, though \'Execution Day\' is the funniest, in my opinion... thanks for the review!
How very like a sheltered ten year old! Cassandra's opinion changes every few minutes as she assiduously studies her parents' reactions. What will she do when she gets to school? And Filch is her mentor! This is going to be interesting.
Author's Response: yay, a new reader! Believe me, if you thought this was interesting.... well, enjoy the rest- thanks for the review!
Aww--cute!
Author's Response: YAY! HUNDREDTH REVIEW FOR \'LATE BLOOMER\'! *confetti*
Hoorah, Cassandra's having some nice surprises for a change--though not the slugs--not nice. I like the way you portray the Trio from Cassandra's POV, though I'm sure she's misinterpreting Hermione's intentions when she loans her her cloak. Love that she has a crush on Ron. That boy just doesn't know how attractive he is, does he? I like the AU-ness too. Interesting to see what would have happened if they went back to Hogwarts that last year.
Author's Response: like I said, the crush is the little Jerri-insert into Cassandra. He IS extremely attractive. Glad you liked it!
Awww... poor Cassandra. (Interesting name, that--the doom-sayer. Any relevance?
Author's Response: tell me about it... although the truth is that I just picked Cassandra\'s name because it sounded right.... whether it will turn out to have any signifigance is unknown. =)
Ooh, finally the big day. Can't wit for more.
Author's Response: thanks!
Oh, no, Cassandra--don't do that. you need a friend--a nice, nonjudgmental friend like Sarah--oh boo hoooo--you dummy!
Author's Response: that basically sums up the entire chapter, doesn\'t it? Thanks for the review!
Ooh, plot thickens to a frothy goo! Werewolves and vampires, eh? And a teacher who gets no sleep.
BTW, I'm glad you are showing all the houses having equally nasty little nits in their membership. Gryffindor is not the 'good' house and Slytherin the 'evil 'one. Depending on how you look at it, Slytherins are shrewd and business like or ambitious and corrupt, Gryffindors daring and chivalrous or reckless and warlike, Hufflepuffs peaceloving or ineffectual and Ravenclaws intellectual or pedantic. It's a question of degree.
Author's Response: that\'s one of the main points I was trying to get across here, really- everyone has gits. thanks for the review!
What a turnabout. and that vampire game--creepy. I love the name Professor **Munch**.
Author's Response: Professor Munch might be my favorite to write. thanks for the review!
Wow. Never expected this particular turn of the screw.
Author's Response: you have no idea... thanks!
Ah, now for the action. Love that Cassandra is falling for Ron, not Harry. But I must say, I felt a bit unprepared in last chapter when Hermione just accepted her word about the Hufflepuff cup. she's a cirtual stranger, after all. and to admit her into their deepest plot, as if they had known her for years? Doesn't quite fly. Maybe you should have prepared that ground a bit more thoroughly.
Author's Response: I just transferred my crush on ron over to Cassandra. =) As for the Hermione thing... I should go back and put more in that, but basically Hermione is looking at Cassandra as sort of a house elf right now, and that\'s blinding her. thanks for the review!
The meeting with Cassandra's parents is heartbreaking. I know her mother wanted to hug her, but hid behind her husband so as not to betray her feelings. So sad.
Author's Response: probably the saddest chapter in the story... thanks for the review!